The Status of Flu Season in San Diego.
If you feel like everyone you know got the flu this year—well, you’re not too far from the truth. The flu hit San Diegans hard this year, carrying on from the tail end of 2017.
So why was it so bad? Is the flu shot even effective anymore? Should we cloud our homes with Lysol and stay inside as much as possible? We consulted a San Diego doctor, Dr. Neha Bhoomreddy, M.D., to get all of our flu related questions answered.
Read up (and before you do that, we highly recommend you wash your hands).
With 2017 being a year of seemingly endless natural disasters, it seems a little unfair that we got hit so hard with the flu. “More people have been getting diagnosed with Influenza this year than in recent years,” Bhoomreddy agrees. “It has been a bigger problem this year than anticipated.” The official numbers reflect it.
Not only did we see over 12K cases of the flu in doctors offices and emergency rooms across the county, but we also saw a record number of flu-related deaths.
“I think it’s possible that the vaccine may have not been as effective as [previous] years,” says Bhoomreddy. “It doesn’t mean people shouldn’t get the flu vaccine, as it could still be beneficial and decrease the severity of the infection.” Is it almost over? Unfortunately, there’s no sure way to tell. “The usual flu season starts to pick up around October and last through March, but in the past we’ve seen cases even through April or later,” Bhoomreddy says. “It’s hard to predict.”
What You Need To Know About the Flu Vaccine
Is it possible for the flu shot to give you the flu?
According to Bhoomreddy, it’s a clear no. It might boil down to a misunderstanding of the way vaccines work. “The point of [any vaccination] it is to stimulate your immunity so that when you are exposed to the actual bacteria or virus, your body has the capability to fight the infection with the antibodies it needs,” says Bhoomreddy. “The vaccine does not contain the live virus; it is an inactivated form of the virus, or an antigen.”
However, Bhoomreddy also notes there are two big reasons you might feel that way after the shot.
First, you might just be experiencing side effects.
“When you get any type of immunization, the immune system revs up,” explains Bhoomreddy. “In that case you might experience a low grade fever, fatigue, and muscle weakness, but that doesn’t mean you have the flu.”
Secondly, you might have contracted the flu before or after the vaccine became effective.
“It takes about two weeks for your body to develop the antibodies to fight the flu after you get the shot,” says Bhoomreddy. “If you’re exposed to it right before getting the vaccine or within that two week period, there’s a possibility your body was not prepared for it yet.”
Keys To Keeping The Flu At Bay
1. Get the Flu Shot (Yes, Even Now)
Bhoomreddy has noticed a trend with her flu patients. Some of the patients who did get the flu vaccine still got the flu, but the flu didn’t seem to hit them quite as hard as it did for patients who neglected to get the vaccine. It’s especially important for infants, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions to get the flu vaccine, even this late in the game.
“In general [the flu symptoms] tend to be more severe in infants, older patients, and anyone with an underlying chronic illness such as asthma or emphysema,” says Bhoomreddy. “They are more susceptible to severe forms of the disease, so even a little bit of boosted immunity helps fight it off so they don’t get more severe complications.” Remember, the flu can last until spring. So even if you think you made it through the illness “wilderness”, you might be at risk later. The shot can be your shield.
2. Take Hand Washing Seriously
You don’t really need to go crazy taking special supplements and trying out various types of holistic mushrooms. At the end of the day, the rules to illness prevention are pretty simple.
Here’s what Bhoomreddy recommends:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap
- Stay away from people with the flu
- If you must be around people with the flu, wear a mask
What To Do If You Contract The Flu
1. Understand the Symptoms
It could the the flu, or you might just be sore from a tough workout simultaneously while having a cold. So how can you tell?
Here are the key flu symptoms courtesy of WebMD:
- Sudden onset of symptoms
- Fever
- Severe aches in muscles and joints
- Pain and tiredness around your eyes
- Weakness or extreme fatigue
- Warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes
- A headache
- A dry cough
- A sore throat and runny nose
Keep in mind you may have some of the symptoms, not all, and there’s definitely crossover with other types of illnesses. But if you have a strong sense that it’s more than just a cold, and you fit many of the symptoms, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and go to your doctor to get tested. Even if the test comes up negative, your doctor may decide to treat you for the flu. According to Bhoomreddy, the test isn’t always 100% accurate.
“If a patient’s initial [flu] screening test comes up negative, but their symptoms still fit and they could really get worse, we’ll still treat them,” says Bhoomreddy. “It’s better to go ahead and treat rather than not treat and have them get worse.” If you have the usual flu symptoms, you’ll likely be treated with a 5 day course of medication. Keep up with nutrition, hydration, and get plenty of rest. “This season we’re being very cautious, especially if a patient has been exposed to someone with the flu,” says Bhoomreddy.
2. Don’t Try to Tough it Out
This isn’t the time to be strong and traipse around town, particularly if you have the following symptoms (thanks again, WebMD!):
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in your chest or belly
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe vomiting
If you do experience any of the above symptoms and you can’t get in to see your doctor right away, head to the nearest emergency room. If your symptoms are severe enough, you will be admitted into the hospital so doctors and nurses can keep a closer watch on your vitals.
3. Take Precautions to Keep Others Healthy
Yes, the flu sucks. You’ll feel like the world is ending. But while you’re missing out, don’t you want the healthy people to be able to get to work and pick up their kids at daycare? In this case, a little courtesy goes a long way.
The following tips might seem basic, but Bhoomreddy notes they get ignored frequently:
- Cover your mouth when you cough
- Wear a mask whenever possible
- Wash your hands frequently (especially if you cough into them)
- Avoid contact with others
The flu spreads through droplets that come from your lungs, which are sprayed into the air when you cough. In other words, you don’t even have to physically touch someone to get them sick. Avoid taking your squad to the hospital, especially if you’re not wearing a mask, and grandma’s along for the ride. Not only are you putting your loved ones at risk, you’re also making your doc’s life a lot harder.
“A lot of times I’ll walk into the room where there’s a flu patient and their family members who aren’t wearing masks and they’re in close quarters,” says Bhoomreddy. “You should at least be wearing a mask around anyone who has been diagnosed with the flu.”
The Bottom Line
Here’s a recap of what you need to know:
- The flu outbreak is worse than usual, and you should be on high alert
- If you come down with the common symptoms you should go the primary care doctor
- If your symptoms are severe, go to the ER
- Do common things to prevent the spread of infection (hand washing, etc.)
- Practice common courtesy if you have the flu, and wear a mask
- Get your flu shot
Armed with these tips, a little bit of luck, and a lot of hand washing, you can remain flu free through spring.
