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Flu season is on the rise — learn what to do to prevent influenza

This article appeared in The Times Herald. Read the full story here.

Influenza is nothing to be taken lightly. Just because the flu season occurs annually, the public perception too often is that the disease is a normal occurrence of little concern. Without proper preventative steps — especially for the very young and the elderly — the flu can be dangerous; sometimes fatal.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified the 2018-2019 season as moderately severe. There is concern, though, that the 2019-2020 flu season could be worse.  The Michigan Disease Surveillance Systems reports that there has been over 300,000 “flu-like disease” as of Dec. 28, 2019. And of those, over 30,000 have been influenza.

As flu season has been on the rise the last few weeks, public health leaders are urging Americans to take proper precautions. Above all, that means getting vaccinated.

According to the CDC, the composition of U.S. flu vaccines is reviewed annually and updated as needed to match circulating flu viruses. Flu vaccines protect against the three or four viruses (depending on the vaccine) that research suggests will be most common.

Vaccinations are recommended for everyone six months or older except for those who have severe allergies to flu vaccine or any of its ingredients.

Don’t think flu vaccines are for you — that they actually give people the flu?

“That’s a common misconception,” says Michael Tawney, DO, chief medical officer at McLaren Port Huron. “There’s no risk of getting the flu from the flu shot.”

If some recipients begin sniffling the following day, chances are they contracted one of the other respiratory viruses so common in this season. Dr. Tawney stressed people are far better served by being vaccinated.

Common flu symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

The CDC suggests if you have symptoms of flu, at high risk of flu complications or are very sick or concerned about your illness, contact your health care provider. There are drugs your doctor may prescribe for treating flu called ‘antivirals.’ These drugs can make you better faster and may also prevent serious complications.

In addition to getting an annual influenza vaccine, follow these basic steps to protect yourself and others:

  • Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap to reduce the chance of spreading or acquiring germs
  • Avoid anyone who is sick
  • If you are sick, don’t visit a hospitalized family member or friend and expose germs to others who aren’t well

People at high risk of serious flu complications recommended for prompt antiviral treatment include children younger than two years of age (although all children younger than five years are considered at higher risk for complications from flu, the highest risk is for those younger than two years of age), adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, people with certain long-term medical conditions, and residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

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I Vaccinate provides information and tools based on real medical science and research to help Michigan parents protect their kids. Support is provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Franny Strong Foundation.

You’ve got questions. That’s a good thing.

As parents, determining how best to protect our children can be overwhelming and confusing. We’re here to help.

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