Flu Season Quickly Approaching

October is quickly approaching and with it the beginning of the flu season. According to Gail Harmon, Assistant Regional Director Department of Health-East Region, the typical influenza season begins as early as October and can continue through the middle of May. Generally, the peak of the season is in the cold weather months or January or February. Though Harmon stated that the Department of Health has seen very little influenza activity to date, pharmacies in the County have reported a handful of cases and one influenza patient described the virus as temporarily debilitating. Harmon said that there has been some increase in upper respiratory infections in the 15 County region, which includes Jefferson County, however the numbers are not enough to cause concern. The Department of Health recommends that everyone get a flu shot to protect themselves and those that they love. Residents considered high risk for potential complications from influenza should consider early vaccination. Children under the age of five and seniors over the age of 65, as well as pregnant women, are considered high risk. Those that have a chronic condition such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma and other respiratory or neurological conditions or a weakened immune system are also considered to be high risk and should seek early vaccination. It should be noted that the immune effects of the influenza vaccine are not immediate and it could take several days to more than a week realize the full impact of the vaccine.

The Department of Health recommends taking general precautions, as well as getting vaccinated, to ward off the influenza virus. Washing hands often with soap and water, particularly after sneezing or coughing and sneezing or coughing into a tissue that covers the mouth and nose can help prevent spread of the virus. If no tissue is available, the Department of Health suggests covering the mouth and nose with a shirt sleeve. Avoid close contact with sick people and avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth while in, or after being in, the public. They also request that those that are ill stay home from school or work to avoid spreading the influenza virus. Though there are several strains of the influenza virus, the vaccine is geared to combat the most likely strain and, in fact, should provide immunity from three strains of influenza-an H1N1 like virus, a H3N2 like virus and the influenza B/Massachusettuses/2012 strain. The Center for Disease Control cautions that, though virus strains may be similar from season to season, the effectiveness of the vaccine wanes with time and the recommendation is for yearly vaccination. The three strain approach to vaccination increases the chances that the vaccine will be effective in combating the seasonal influenza strain. Vaccines are currently available and it is suggested to receive vaccination before the onset of the influenza season.