Welcome to the latest issue of The Lowdown. With the challenges, struggles, and focus on the pandemic, it is easy to forget about the other serious diseases lurking in the background, including influenza (flu). Experts think it is possible to have other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu, and COVID-19 at the same time. It will be extremely important to vaccinate everyone able to receive the flu vaccine. This issue of The Lowdown is dedicated to providing you with information and resources to assist in preparation for flu season.
Influenza (Flu)
The flu is a very contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. It is one of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States when combined with pneumonia. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe depending on the characteristics of the circulating virus strains. Influenza viruses are unique in their ability to cause both recurrent annual epidemics and more serious pandemics. Elderly people, pregnant women, young children, and people with chronic medical conditions— such as diabetes and heart disease—are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu.
Flu Facts
- Incubation period: one to four days.
- Contagious period: Adults shed virus and are contagious from the day before symptoms begin to up to 10 days. Children shed virus several days before onset and 10 or more days after they become ill. Severely immunocompromised people can shed virus for weeks or months.
- Symptoms: fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea (usually in children).
- Related complications: pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and worsening of chronic medical conditions.
Vaccination is the single most effective way of preventing influenza!
Influenza spreads from person to person by droplets released when an infected person coughs, talks, or sneezes. Touching objects that are contaminated with the flu virus and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes also may cause infection.
Vaccination has been shown to reduce the risks of getting the flu, hospitalization, and death. It is extremely important to vaccinate everyone able to be vaccinated.
The 2020–21 quadrivalent vaccine will contain two influenza A viruses, H1N1 and H3N2, and two influenza B viruses, Victoria lineage and Yamagata lineage. For additional information on the vaccine components and types, visit www.cdc.gov/ flu/season/faq-flu-season-2020-2021.htm.
COVID-19 and the Flu
InfluenzaCOVID-19 and the flu are contagious respiratory diseases caused by different viruses. As they have similar symptoms it can be difficult to differentiate between them. Some key differences are:
- COVID-19 symptoms may include loss of taste or smell.
- COVID-19 symptoms may take longer to develop following exposure and infection.
- The flu carries a higher risk of complications for healthy children, but infants and children with underlying medical conditions are at high risk for both the flu and COVID-19.
- While complications are similar for COVID-19 and the flu, COVID-19 complications also include blood clots and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).
- Influenza antiviral drugs are recommended to treat people at high risk of flu complications or those hospitalized with the flu. There are currently no drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent or treat COVID-19, but studies are underway.
- There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, but research is underway. Several flu vaccines are available annually to help protect against the flu.
Resources
- patientsafety.pa.gov/pst/Documents/Healthcare-Associated%20Infections/ RV_prevention_tips.v2.pdf
- www.cdc.gov/flu/resource-center/freeresources/index.htm
- www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm
- www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm
- webbertraining.com/freeposterdownloadsc97.php
When to Vaccinate
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommend get- ting the influenza vaccine in September and October. Early vaccination in July or August may lead to decreased protection against the flu later in the season, espe- cially for the elderly.
If someone has COVID-19 or is suspected of being positive for COVID-19, vaccina- tion for influenza should be postponed until they meet criteria to be out of isolation precautions.
