What You Need to Know About the Flu: Your Top Questions Answered (1/18/13)

Concerned about flu season? Wondering if you and your children should (or can still) get vaccinated? Saul Hymes, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases with Stony Brook Long Island Children's Hospital, addresses the most common concerns about flu season and, more importantly, what you can do now to protect yourself and your children.

How serious is the flu this year?

The flu, or seasonal influenza virus, is extremely unpredictable. Its severity can vary widely from one season to the next depending on many things, including the strains of flu spreading, availability of vaccines, how many people get vaccinated and how well the flu vaccine is matched to the flu viruses circulating each season.

This year’s season has gotten a lot of press. In New York State specifically, 2,884 people have been hospitalized because of the flu, up from 1,169 last season (winter 2011-12). Two deaths in children in New York have been tied to the flu this season, since September 2012. Across the U.S., there were 34 reported deaths in children due to influenza last flu season. So far this season (September 2012-January 12, 2013) there have been 29 reported deaths in children. The flu season typically spans October through May, which means in looking at the numbers to date, this year’s season is more severe than last. Keep in mind that this is small compared to the millions of children and adults who contract the flu. Every year thousands of adults and a handful of children do die from it.

The bottom line: Take the flu seriously, take precautions, don’t worry too much, stay home if you are sick, and call your doctor if symptoms are severe or prolonged — or if you develop complications.

Who is at greatest risk?

Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. This includes:

• people over age 65
• young children under the age of 5 and especially those under 2
• pregnant women
• people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease)
• people who live in facilities such as nursing homes

How can I protect myself?

Use common sense. This includes:

• avoiding those who are ill
• covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• washing your hands frequently and thoroughly
• staying home from work if you are sick
• keeping your children out of school and after-school activities if they are sick

However, the easiest way to protect yourself and your children is to get vaccinated.

Are the influenza vaccines safe?

There are two flu vaccines and both are extremely safe:

• The inactivated (killed) virus vaccine, which is given by injection. This is safe for people older than six months. The common side effects are redness and soreness at the vaccination site. You cannot get an infection from a killed virus, so this vaccine does not cause the flu.
• The nasal spray, which contains a live-attenuated (weakened) virus. This is safe for people from ages 2 to 49. Common side effects include runny nose, cough and tiredness. This vaccine does not cause a full influenza infection.

Know that all of the vaccine side effects are mild and resolve within one to two days of the vaccine. Also note: the injectable vaccine no longer contains Thimerosal (mercury-containing compound) and the nasal vaccine never contained it. In rare cases, adults and children who receive the vaccine can have an allergic reaction.

Are the vaccines effective?

The influenza vaccine is very effective at preventing influenza overall as well as preventing severe disease and complications. This year, it is about 70 percent effective in preventing disease, which means that seven out of 10 people who receive a vaccine won’t get the flu. Even in years when the vaccine has been less well-matched against one or more of the circulating strains, the vaccine is still important in protecting against the other circulating strains.

Why should you get your influenza vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone over six months of age be vaccinated unless they have a known allergy to the flu vaccine. In addition, if you have a severe (life-threatening, with wheezing or throat narrowing) allergy to eggs or a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (a neurologic disease) after a flu vaccine in the past, consult with your doctor before being vaccinated.

There are two main reasons to get vaccinated:

• To protect yourself from the flu and its complications: The flu can cause five to seven days of illness with high fevers, painful muscle aches, cough, sore throat and exhaustion. People sick with the flu will miss work or school and need to be cared for. The flu also can lead to complications like pneumonia, which may require treatment with antibiotics or even hospitalization.
• To protect those around you: Children less than six months old who cannot be vaccinated yet are at an increased risk of contracting the flu and are at a very high risk of complications. By vaccinating the parents of such children and other adults and children around them, we will help to protect them. There are other groups who either cannot be vaccinated or are at increased risk of complications from the flu, and by getting vaccinated you help protect them further.

Vaccination helps protect you and those around you who cannot be vaccinated. All parents should be vaccinated to help protect their children. The flu vaccine is effective, safe, and it is not too late to get one!

All health and health-related information contained in this article is intended to be general and/or educational in nature and should not be used as a substitute for a visit with a healthcare professional for help, diagnosis, guidance, and treatment. The information is intended to offer only general information for individuals to discuss with their healthcare provider. It is not intended to constitute a medical diagnosis or treatment or endorsement of any particular test, treatment, procedure, service, etc. Reliance on information provided is at the user's risk. Your healthcare provider should be consulted regarding matters concerning the medical condition, treatment, and needs of you and your family. Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer.