Spring is on the horizon, and you may be thinking that flu season is a thing of the past. But, the truth is flu viruses can circulate as late as May. As of February 21, CDC data shows flu activity remains elevated nationally but is decreasing. Young and middle-aged adults, including those with chronic conditions and those who are otherwise healthy, have been among the hardest hit by flu this season. However, there is good news to share about the flu vaccine this season – it is providing solid protection to people of all ages. In fact, new information released on February 20 finds that the flu vaccine reduced a vaccinated person’s risk of having to go to the doctor for flu illness by about 61% across all ages. CDC recommends that everyone age 6 months and older receive an annual flu vaccination. If you haven’t been vaccinated yet this flu season, CDC urges you to do so now.
The predominant virus circulating so far this flu season is influenza A (H1N1), which emerged and caused the flu pandemic in 2009. H1N1 is causing flu illness that affects young and middle-aged adults more this year than in previous seasons. So far, more than 60% of the reported flu hospitalizations this season have been in people 18 to 64 years old, and more than 48% of all flu hospitalizations have been in males.
Unfortunately, younger adults – especially those who are otherwise healthy – are less likely to get vaccinated, leaving them vulnerable to getting sick and to possibly spreading flu to others. Estimates as of early-November 2013 indicate that among people 18-64 years of age, only 34% had been vaccinated, which is substantially lower than people 6 months-17 years of age (41%) and people 65 and older (62%) during that same time period. This problem is worse among men. Among 18-64 year olds during the 2012-13 flu season, vaccination was 7% lower among men (32%) than women (39%). Some of this difference in vaccination between men and women may be due to beliefs about getting sick. While men suffer about half of the illness and hospitalizations from flu, they are less likely than women to believe that they will get sick with flu if not vaccinated.
CDC urges men to take the following actions to protect themselves and others from the flu:
1) Get a flu vaccination now if you have not already done so. It is especially important to get vaccinated if you are at high risk for flu complications, care for others who are, or have contact with babies under 6 months of age. There are many places to get vaccinated, and you can find one near you using the flu vaccine locator.
2) Check with your doctor promptly about the use of antiviral drugs if you have a chronic medical condition, like asthma or diabetes, which puts you at high risk for developing complications if you get the flu. Antiviral drugs work best when taken within 48 hours of illness onset and can help reduce the severity and length of illness as well as reduce the chance of developing flu-related complications.
3) Know the signs and symptoms of flu. These can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle or body aches, fatigue and headache. If you get sick, stay home until 24 hours after you are fever free without the use of fever reducing medication.
4) Practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of germs. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and promptly throw it in the trash. Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
5) Make sure your loved ones are vaccinated. If you are a parent, get your children vaccinated annually. If your child has not been vaccinated against flu before, he or she may need two doses to be fully protected this flu season. A flu shot is recommended for children ages 6 months through 2 years and for children with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and asthma. Healthy children older than 2 can get a flu shot or the nasal spray vaccine.
6) Encourage those around you to get vaccinated, especially female family members or friends who are pregnant. CDC recommends all pregnant women get a flu shot. The flu shot is safe at any time during a pregnancy, and offers protection to both the mother and baby.
Flu can be a very serious disease for anyone. Protect yourself and those around you this flu season.
Jerome Tokars MD, MPH, is currently the Associate Director for Science in the Influenza Division, CDC. Dr. Tokars has worked at CDC for >20 years in the areas of healthcare-associated infections, informatics, immunization safety, and influenza. He trained in Internal Medicine and was in private practice for 9 years. Dr. Tokars has degrees from the University of Michigan Medical School and Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health.
