By Ken Kraus
The flu has arrived earlier than usual this season and is more widespread than in recent years. For most people, catching the flu can mean suffering through a few miserable days in bed with a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and fatigue. However, a few dozen of Muskegon County’s most vulnerable residents probably won’t be so lucky. (See, "Flu causes two deaths, 220 illnesses in Muskegon County; health officials urge vaccination.")
I’m sure you’ve heard that the flu vaccination is the single best way to protect yourself from the flu. It’s an even better way to protect others around you and limit the circulation of the virus. Getting a flu vaccine is more convenient than ever before. Vaccine is still available here at the public health department and more can be ordered if needed.
If you’re thinking to yourself, "I never get the flu" and "I’ve never had a flu vaccination," thank the people around you that were vaccinated; and thank those who stayed home when they were sick to keep you safe. Keep practicing good hand-washing technique and covering your coughs and sneezes.
If you’re wondering if it’s too late for a flu vaccination, the answer is no. As long as flu season isn’t over, it’s not too late to get vaccinated, even in January or later. Be aware that it takes about two weeks to develop immunity after getting the vaccination. But, if you’ve been exposed to the flu virus in the meantime, the vaccine will help reduce the severity of the illness. The vaccine does not provide protection against non-flu viruses that can cause colds and other respiratory illnesses similar to the flu.
Anyone can get the flu, but some people are at greater risk for serious flu-related complications, like pneumonia, that can lead to hospitalization and even death. For those at greater risk for complications, getting the flu vaccine is especially important. People at greater risk include:
• Children younger than 5 years old, but especially children younger than 2 years old.
• Pregnant women.
• People with certain medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease.
• People 65 years and older.
It’s also important to get the vaccine if you spend time around anyone in these high risk groups or are around babies younger than 6 months because they are too young to get the vaccine.
If you think you’ve got the flu right now, check with your doctor to find out if anti-viral drugs are right for you. Most people recover without needing treatment. However, there are flu antiviral drugs that can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. Flu antiviral drugs must be prescribed by a physician. It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early -- preferably within the first 48 hours of symptoms -- to treat flu in people who have a greater chance of developing serious flu complications. Even though antiviral drugs are available to treat flu illness, flu vaccine is the first and best way to prevent the flu.
Ken Kraus is director of Public Health – Muskegon County.