Fall may mean colorful leaves, hayrides, and pumpkin spice,
but it is also the time when flu viruses tend to start spreading. Health
officials say now is the time to start protecting yourself and your loved ones.
“We’re expecting this year to be moderate, but last
year was severe,” said Dr. Sarah Nosal, president-elect of the American Academy
of Family Physicians. “We had more illnesses, more hospitalizations, and more
preventable deaths of children.”
Flu
season typically starts in October with peaks between December and
February.
Nosal said the best way to protect yourself is to get the
flu vaccine as soon as it is available and before the season gets into full
swing.
The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people six months and
older, with rare exceptions, to receive the vaccine. Officials say the vaccine
is “trivalent” this season, meaning it protects against three strains of the
flu virus.
“Your body is ready to take on that fight,” Nosal said.
“So instead of ending up in the hospital with pneumonia, you might have a runny
nose for a few days, and you will be much less contagious.”
For the first time this flu season, there is an at-home
flu vaccine available in 34 states.
Flumist is a nasal spray approved for non-pregnant people
between the ages of two and 49, though Nosal suggests people speak with their
doctor before to make sure they are eligible to receive it.
“You really need to check in if you have any of the
medical conditions that would make it not safe to be given,” she continued.
“It’s for really for healthy young people.”
Nosal said for people who are not considered at high-risk
for getting severely sick from the flu, the flu vaccine could help create a
“community of immunity” which protects those who are more vulnerable, like
seniors, people who are pregnant and young children.
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