Can I get the flu twice in a season? What to know as Kentucky sees dramatic spike in cases
Flu activity is surging across the country, including in Kentucky, with University of Kentucky HealthCare staff reporting a new all-time high for flu-related hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions.
“We have many, many people hospitalized right now,” Dr. Nicholas Van Sickels, an infectious disease specialist with UK HealthCare, told the Herald-Leader in an interview Feb. 13.
“This is the highest number of flu admissions we’ve had, and across the country, this is a surge of flu cases that we’ve not seen for over a decade,” he added.
As of Thursday, UK HealthCare had a total of 58 hospitalizations for influenza, both in its ICU and in hospital units for adults and pediatrics.
“It’s quite an alarming number,” Van Sickels said. “It’s been very high.”
The spike in admissions is being fueled by fast-spreading flu variants, including the swine flu, and generally low flu vaccine rates across Kentucky. Other highly contagious viruses, such as norovirus, are also circulating this winter.
Less than 17% of Kentucky children have received a flu vaccine this season, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which last week reported the state’s first pediatric influenza death. The child was not vaccinated.
This late in the season, it’s possible you may have already gotten the flu and believe you cannot get it again. Van Sickels says that belief is “misguided” for several reasons. Here’s what to know to keep yourself healthy.
Can you get the flu twice in the same season?
Yes, it is certainly possible to get the flu more than once in the same season — even if you’ve just recovered from it. As explained by Van Sickels, this is possible because there are two major types of flu virus that circulate every season: flu A and flu B.
Flu A includes the fast-spreading H1N1 (also known as swine flu) and H3N2, which are fueling the spike in health care visits this winter and placing providers under strain.
Of the two categories, the strains under flu A are known to mutate more rapidly and thus spread faster. These viruses are found in humans and animals, such as birds and pigs, while flu B viruses are only found in humans.
Because the virus is constantly changing and shifting, contracting and recovering from one strain doesn’t grant you broad protection, Van Sickels explained.
“If you only get one strain of flu, you are not automatically cross-protected from the other strain. So, you get flu A, for example, you might have some protection against that specific strain of flu A, but not as much against others and not against flu B,” the doctor said.
Immunity to the flu generally doesn’t last very long, typically only about six months. This is why health experts recommend getting the flu shot every year, usually in October before the season really kicks off.
However, if you’re late getting the shot this year, Van Sickels said it’s still worth getting, particularly given all the flu circulating out there. Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using a strong enough hand sanitizer are other steps you can take to keep yourself healthy.
“Vaccination is the No. 1 way. It’s not too late,” Van Sickels said of protecting yourself. “There’s so many people sick with the flu right now, it’s worth it to go get it. It can’t give you the flu. It’s impossible for these vaccines to give you the flu, and they’re very safe.”
You can find flu shot providers near you by visiting vaccines.gov.
If you do think you have the flu, Van Sickels said pharmacists at UK HealthCare Pharmacies are able to offer one-stop testing and treatment. Appointment booking is available online.
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