Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Dear NP

Dear NP,

When is flu season and what is the best time to get the flu vaccine?

Dear Reader,

Influenza circulates year-round, but the peak season for flu is during the fall and winter months. Cases of flu may begin to increase as early as October, with the highest number occurring between December and February. In some years, flu activity can be seen as late as May.

Because the flu virus remains active year-round, it is possible to get the flu at any time during the year, but most cases occur during the months when flu is most active. We refer to this period from October through May as “flu season.”

Flu season remains relatively predictable. However, the months that have peak flu activity may change from year to year. It’s often difficult to determine which weeks will have the greatest flu activity and which parts of the county will peak when.

Reporting systems that track flu activity across the country help predict when flu will peak in an area. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintains a reporting system with an interactive map that you can view to see current flu activity across the country and in your area.

To protect yourself against flu, take the following precautions: avoid contact with others who are ill with flu-like symptoms, stay home if you have flu-like symptoms, practice frequent hand washing, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, avoid touching your face, mouth and eyes, regularly clean and disinfect home and work surfaces. While these measures help decrease flu, the best protection remains to get the annual flu vaccine.

Flu vaccine generally becomes available for shipment to pharmacies and doctor’s offices in August each year. Many providers will begin vaccinating people as soon as their vaccine supply arrives.

It will take about two weeks after receiving your vaccine to build up immunity to the flu. However, even if you get a shot later in flu season, you can still benefit from the vaccine.

The best time to get your vaccine is September through October. If, for some reason, you can’t get your vaccine then, you can get a vaccine as late as February to protect against late outbreaks of flu.

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, but certain groups of people are especially at risk for complications from flu and should make sure to get a vaccine. These include pregnant women, older adults, young children, asthma, cancer, lung or breathing problems, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, HIV/AIDS, kidney or liver disease and obesity.

Because the flu virus evolves and adapts quickly, getting a flu vaccine every year is necessary. Antibodies from the vaccine decline over time; therefore, a yearly vaccine boosts your protection and protects against the virus strains for the current year.

While the flu vaccine does not prevent influenza infection, but it dramatically decreases the chances of severe illness, serious complications and hospitalization. Making sure you get your flu vaccine every year will help protect you and your loved ones from complications of the flu.

Dr. Wesley Davis is an Emergency Nurse Practitioner at Crook County Medical Services District and Coordinator of the Family and Emergency Nurse Practitioner program at the University of South Alabama. He encourages readers to send their questions to [email protected]

 
 
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