It’s time to get your flu shot. Yes, really!
Sep 18, 2023
Maybe the flu isn't at the top of your mind at the moment. That's understandable. It’s difficult to think about winter and illness when in most parts of the country, including here in East Tennessee, the weather is still nice. But even though it doesn’t feel like flu season, September is actually the best time of the year to think about preventing this potentially serious illness. This is when you should talk to your doctor about getting a flu vaccine, which can protect you and your loved ones from becoming infected.
How severe will the flu season be this year?
The short answer is we don’t know. Experts tend to closely monitor flu trends in Australia, because this helps predict how winter flu season might play out there. Flu viruses are monitored to keep track of what’s circulating, the age groups most affected and how well the vaccines are working.
In 2020 and 2021, at the height of the COVID pandemic, flu rates fell dramatically around the world. This is probably because of the unprecedented change in human behavior, with social distancing, hand hygiene, mask-wearing and travel restrictions. This changed in 2022, with Australia having an earlier-than-usual flu season, which peaked in June instead of August. The same happened here, peaking two months earlier than usual (pre-pandemic) peak of flu activity.
This year, Australia experienced a peak of flu at the end of June, about two weeks later than last year (but still earlier than usual), which could indicate that our season will start early as well. This makes it even more important that you vaccinate yourself as soon as possible.
What is the flu?
Have you ever heard someone say they have the flu — right before they head into the bathroom? That probably isn’t influenza — it’s likely viral gastroenteritis, commonly called the “stomach flu.”
The real flu can be much more debilitating. It’s caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes lungs. It spreads through tiny droplets made when people who have the flu cough, sneeze or talk.
What are symptoms of the flu?
Common flu symptoms include:
Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea, though that is more common among children than adults.
What are complications of the flu?
Most people who get the flu will recover in less than two weeks. But some can develop moderate to severe complications, including:
Additionally, the flu can cause some chronic conditions — such as asthma and heart disease — to become much worse.
While the flu is most dangerous for people older than 65, pregnant women, young children and infants, anyone could develop serious complications.
Protect yourself and your family from influenza
The single best thing you can do to protect yourself from the flu is get your flu shot. Influenza vaccines are not 100% effective, but they do significantly lower the risk of getting the flu — and of having severe illness if you do get it.
In addition to getting vaccinated, many of the tactics we practiced to prevent COVID during the worst days of the pandemic also work to protect against the flu:
Finally, remember: If you are sick, stay home.
Who should/can get vaccinated against the flu?
The CDC recommends an annual flu shot for everyone age 6 months and older. Around half of Americans get their flu shot every year, and it’s important to get your shot early — especially before seeing lots of friends and family during the holiday season. Currently FMC has flu shots available for our patients.
The vaccine, which changes every year, includes the best protection against what are expected to be the most commonly circulating strains of the influenza virus. Because the flu virus changes so quickly, you should get an updated vaccine every year to protect against the newest strains.
It’s a common myth that the flu vaccine can give you the flu. Like the COVID vaccine, you may have muscle aches, soreness, fever or other reactions to the vaccine within a couple of days of receiving it, but this is your immune system at work. It also takes a couple of weeks for the vaccine to be fully effective.
You can get your COVID booster and your flu shot at the same time. Both vaccines are important for everyone, but especially for older adults, who are at high risk for complications.