Dodging the flu virus

Published: Wednesday, October 3, 2018

By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist

Do you remember playing dodge ball in elementary school? Some classmates who took the game too seriously delighted in throwing the ball hard and fast. I couldn’t dodge the ball fast enough, and thus I frequently suffered sharp stings from multiple reddish-pink balls hitting an exposed arm or leg. I had no way to protect myself beyond moving, ducking and jumping.

That’s not the case when it comes to the flu virus. Every year I can protect myself with a flu shot, yet many North Carolinians remain shot dodgers the entire flu season-October through May. They are skilled in dodging the vaccine, but they don’t always dodge the flu.

Everyone knows the flu is not pleasant for the week to two weeks you commonly experience the following symptoms:

  • A 100-dgree F or higher fever or feeling feverish (not everyone with the flu has a fever)
  • A cough and/or sore throat
  • A runny or stuffy nose
  • Headaches and/or body aches
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children)

Most people do recover, but some people may become more severely ill. Secondary ear and sinus infections can occur. Pneumonia can result from either the influenza virus infection alone or from co-infection of flu virus and bacteria. Severe complications can happen to anyone but may be more likely to happen to people who have certain chronic medical conditions or in elderly persons.

Last season’s flu was particularly severe across all age groups and was one of the longest with high levels of outpatient clinic and emergency department visits for influenza-like illness (ILI), as well as high influenza-related hospitalization rates. According to the NC Division of Public Health, for 2017-2018, 389 North Carolinians died from influenza-associated deaths compared to 218 deaths for 2016-2017.

Let’s be transparent. A flu vaccination does not guarantee protection against the flu. Some people who get vaccinated might still get sick. However, people who get a flu vaccine are less likely to get sick with flu or hospitalized from flu than someone who does not get vaccinated.

The overall vaccine effectiveness of the 2017-2018 flu vaccine against both influenza A and B viruses is estimated to be 40 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means the flu vaccine reduced a person’s overall risk of having to seek medical care at a doctor’s office for flu illness by 40 percent.

The most important factors that affect how well the flu vaccine works include:

  • The “match” between the flu vaccine and the flu viruses that are spreading that season;
  • Factors such as the age and overall health of the person being vaccinated. For example, older people with weaker immune systems may respond less well to vaccination.

However, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. Flu vaccines given with a needle are currently made in two ways: the vaccine is made either with a) flu vaccine viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ and are therefore not infectious, or b) with no flu vaccine viruses at all (which is the case for recombinant influenza vaccine). The flu shot can cause side effects where the shot was given: soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches also may occur.

You could still get sick after getting the flu vaccine. It is possible that you could have come down with another type of respiratory virus besides the flu such as rhinovirus. Or, you may have been exposed to flu viruses shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period after vaccination that it takes the body to develop immune protection. Or you could have been exposed to a flu virus that is very different from the viruses the vaccine is designed to protect against.

The truth is that the flu vaccine can vary in how well it works. Some people who get vaccinated may still get sick, but an annual flu vaccine is still the single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.

It saves children’s lives. It reduces the risk of hospitalizations. It’s an important part of managing a chronic health condition, like heart disease or diabetes. And it will help you get back on your feet sooner if you do get sick.

It’s a long time until flu season is over, so get your flu shot today. Flu vaccine is available in our Immunization Clinic and at many pharmacies in the community. For more information, call (828) 694-6015 or visit HendersonCountyFlu.org.

Kim Horton is the communications manager for the Henderson County Department of Public Health. She can be reached at khorton@hendersoncountync.gov.

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