Let’s avoid two pandemics this winter. Get your flu shot to lessen the chances.
While COVID-19 continues to be the leading cause of anxiety across the country, it’s not the only virus causing concern as we head into the fall and winter months. Getting a flu vaccine has never been more important than it is this year, and both viruses hitting at the same time could result in an unprecedented season for respiratory illnesses. It’s why each of us has a responsibility to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe by getting a flu vaccine.
Both COVID-19 and the flu share similar symptoms, including fever, chills, cough/congestion, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, muscle and body aches, nausea and sore throat. This makes telling the two apart very difficult for the average person and is sure to keep health care providers especially busy as we enter the official flu season.
Over the past few months, we have stepped up our diligence with washing hands, wearing masks, disinfecting surfaces and social distancing. While these actions are helpful for preventing viruses, the flu vaccine is still the best way to avoid the flu altogether or to lessen its severity.
The flu remains one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States each year. During the 2018-2019 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 35.5 million people were sick with the flu and 34,200 people died from the virus. With COVID-19, it’s difficult to estimate what the fall will actually look like, but we should be prepared for both viruses hitting at the same time.
We recommend getting your flu shot between mid-September and mid-October. Remember, it takes about two weeks for the flu shot to offer full immunity. Don’t listen to the myths we hear each year – “the influenza vaccine will give me the flu,” “it’s better to get the flu than the flu shot” and “heathy people don’t need to get a flu shot.” These are all false statements.
The truth is, you can’t get the flu from a flu shot. If you develop flu-like symptoms after getting the vaccine, it could either be a virus caught in the two-week window before protection takes effect or it could be your immune system reacting to the vaccine, which is normal. Since the flu can be deadly and cause serious infections like pneumonia in high-risk populations, it’s important to take preventive measures. Everyone benefits from getting a flu shot, especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The flu is highly contagious and those 6 months and older, including pregnant women, should get a flu shot annually.
As we all continue to take measures to avoid contracting COVID-19, we should also be taking similar measures to keep our families safe from the flu this fall. Together, we can help reduce the spread of this virus and also ensure our health care systems are able to manage during an expected busy respiratory season.
It all begins with a flu shot.
Madeline K. Fisher, MD, CHI is a doctor with Saint Joseph Medical Group – Primary Care in Lexington.