Flu Season Update 2017-2018

February 18th, 2018

This year is proving to be one of the worst flu seasons I have seen in my career.  I think many factors are to blame.  Terrible weather and natural disasters late last summer, such as Hurricane Maria, decimated access to health care and forced people to congregate in crowded shelters.  The weather was also unseasonably cold in most parts of the US this winter.  Australia had a particularly severe flu season (peaking in July, during the Southern hemisphere’s winter season)  which usually translates to a worse season for the Northern Hemisphere.  The flu shot efficacy has been called into question, but I believe the strains in the flu shot as it was originally formulated was effective, unfortunately it is likely that one of the strains, the H3N2, likely mutated.  H3N2 is thought to be a nasty strain of the flu which causes more prolonged illness and is easily transmitted.  Historically, years where H3N2 predominates are more severe flu seasons.

Unfortunately, we are not seeing an end to this flu season anytime soon.  In New York, the rates of flu have not come down, indicating we haven’t even reached the peak of the flu epidemic.  Some experts have even proposed that the flu season may not end till May this year (usually ends around late March or April).

Here are some steps to protect yourself and your family:

• Get your flu shots!  It’s never too late.  While no flu shot is 100% effective (in typical years, 60% is about the maximum efficacy), it can lessen the severity and duration of your symptoms.  Even if you got sick from the flu, you should get the flu shot after you feel better.  There are at least 5 strains of the flu going around, getting sick from one strain doesn’t protect you from the others.  Getting a flu shot with multiple strains (3 or 4, depending on the type of flu shot) lowers your chances of getting the others.
• If you have the flu, stay away from others.  Isolate yourself as much as possible.  Stay home from work, avoid gatherings of large people until 24 hours after your last fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit).  Be especially careful about tissues or items such as clothing you may have coughed or sneezed into, these usually contain large amounts viruses.  Do not let anyone clean these up for you, as that can transmit the flu easily.  In fact, you can even designate a separate trash bag for these, or keep a separate trash can near your bed or seat on the sofa.
• Avoid unnecessary contact with others.  People who are infected with the flu are infectious 24 hours even before showing any symptoms of the flu.  A simple handshake or hug could mean an easy transmission of flu virus.
• Use antibacterial wipes liberally.  I use them to wipe down the armrests, seatbelt buckles, and tray tables on planes before I sit down.  You should also use them after touching restaurant menus or riding on public transportation.
• Avoid going to the hospital or doctor’s office for any unnecessary visits.  Postpone any non-urgent surgeries such as vasectomies or plastic surgery.  The last thing you want to do is to go to where there are large numbers of people with the flu.  Surgery is a stressful time for the body and makes you very succeptible for getting the flu.  Instead of visiting someone in the hospital, consider using video chat, or Skype to send them your well wishes.  If you must go into the hospital to visit someone, wear a mask the entire time.  Most hospitals will gladly provide you with one if you request it.
• Wash your hands often.  Be sure to use soap and water.  How long is considered adequate?  You should be able to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and advise others to do the same.  Each cough or sneeze generates a large plume of droplets containing billions of flu viruses.  The best way to cough or sneeze is into the bent elbow.  If you cough into your hands, you’re more likely to spread the flu viruses when you use that hand to open doors.
• Boost your immune system.  A weakened immune system makes you vulnerable to colds and flus.  Get adequate sleep at night, drink plenty of fluids, avoid excessive amounts of alcohol (no more than one drink for women, two drinks for men in 24 hours), reduce stress, and exercise regularly.
• If you have a compromised immune system from diabetes, HIV, cancer, or other chronic diseases, or have respiratory illnesses such as asthma or COPD, you should contact your healthcare provider if you suspect you may have the flu.  The first signs of the flu are the sudden appearance of body aches, fever, and sore throat.  Common colds are usually different because the symptoms develop over days as opposed to 1-3 hours for the flu.
• Teach your family good hand hygeine.  Keep hand sanitizers handy near the front door.  Encourage all your family members to use it upon returning home.
• Based on new research, the flu virus can even be spread just by being in the same room with someone who has the flu.  Having fresh air circulating can be helpful.  If the temperature outside is mild, open the windows to bring air into your home.  Alternatively, if someone has the flu, try to limit them to one or two rooms so they are not spreading the virus throughout the home.
• GET YOUR FLU SHOTS!  No, this not a mistake, I am putting this tip again to emphasize that this is the BEST thing you can do for yourself and your family.  The flu shot will protect you and your loved ones!