When Is Flu Season?
Flu season in the United States can begin as early as October and can run as late as May. During this time, flu viruses are circulating at increased levels among our population, and experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all healthy persons aged six months and older who can should get an annual seasonal flu vaccine.
The CDC also has a list outlining groups of people who are at a high risk of developing flu-related complications if they become ill with the influenza virus. Preventive measures, including the flu vaccine, may be especially important in these populations, to prevent the onset of complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections.
What Serious Complications of the Flu Could Spell Trouble?
Influenza can leave patients susceptible to, or can trigger, a wide range of complications that range from more mild (such as ear infections) to life-threatening. Among the most serious complications for flu sufferers:
Pneumonia
During the 1958-59 flu epidemic that struck the United States, it was learned that the flu virus could cause pneumonia, a lung infection that mimics symptoms of the flu. Pneumonia with the flu can be a deadly combination because it causes fluid buildup (particularly in the lungs) and can reduce the body’s oxygen supply in the lungs and other tissues in the body. The elderly and those living in nursing homes or other communal, long-term care facilities are especially at risk for developing pneumonia with the flu.
Seizures
Children are at a higher risk for developing seizures with the flu virus, and in addition to suffering seizures as a result of the virus, they can also suffer from febrile seizures, characterized by convulsions or rapid twitching or jerking motions. These seizures are common in children whose fevers rise above 102 degrees Fahrenheit or who experience rapid temperature increases from fever. While scary, febrile seizures typically do not cause permanent damage.
A 2010 study from the University of Utah found that the swine flu was more likely to cause neurological complications in children than the seasonal flu, but those in high-risk categories should be aware of this risk.
Premature Labor and Delivery
For pregnant women who debate the merits of getting an annual seasonal flu shot, studies show that pregnant women who get the flu are at a risk of developing other complications that may be debilitating or deadly for their unborn children. Infections like flu are linked to low birth weight and higher rates of preterm birth. A 2012 study found that mothers who contracted the flu during their pregnancies were more likely to give birth to children with neural tube defects, including defects of the brain and spine.
And it’s not just our unborn children who are in a high-risk category during flu season. Studies have shown that pregnant women who catch the flu are at a risk for serious flu-related complications, including pneumonia or death.
Who Is At Risk for Flu Complications?
Among the people most at risk for developing flu-related complications are:
● Children who are younger than five, particularly children who are younger than two years of age
● Adults 65 and older
● Pregnant women and women who are up to two weeks' postpartum
● Residents in nursing homes and other long-term care (LTC) facilities
● Demographically, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives seem to have a higher risk of flu-related complications than the general population
Medical conditions can also make a person more likely to suffer from flu-related complications. The CDC lists conditions that may increase susceptibility to these complications, including:
● Asthma
● Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, including brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve and muscle disorders such as cerebral palsy (CP), epilepsy, stroke, intellectual disabilities, muscular dystrophy or spinal cord injury
● Chronic lung disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis
● Heart disease, including congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease
● Blood disorders, including sickle cell disease
● Endocrine disorders, including diabetes mellitus
● Kidney disorders
● Liver disorders
● Metabolic disorders, such as inherited disorders and mitochondrial disorders
● People with weakened immune systems due to disease or medication, such as people with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients or those on chronic steroids
● People under the age of 19 who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
● People who are morbidly obese, especially those who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater
What Can I Do?
If you fall into one of these high-risk categories, it is especially important for you to get your annual seasonal flu vaccine unless you have an allergy or medical condition that prevents you from doing so. Remember, flu vaccines may still not be effective for up to two weeks after receiving them, so if you are in a high-risk demographic, try to schedule your flu vaccine for late summer or early fall to give your body time to build up sufficient antibodies to the flu virus before it begins circulating.
The CDC distributes a weekly “FluView” report that tracks how the flu affects various populations around the country. This can help you monitor when and how hard the virus strikes in your area and may encourage you to take preventative measures.
Take extra hygiene precautions this flu season: Wash your hands often and well, especially after touching public surfaces or common surfaces in the home or workplace. When you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to keep your hands virus-free, and at home, use commercial cleaners, such as Lysol, that can eradicate the flu virus on the surfaces where it may have taken hold.
Above all else, practice a hands-off strategy this flu season. Most viruses and bacteria enter the body through the mucous membranes of your nostrils, mouth and eyes. So the best way for you to avoid illness this flu season is to avoid touching your face or wash and sanitize your hands before touching your face when necessary.