Flu Season

Message from Dr. Rahul Gupta, Kanawha-Charleston Health Officer

Seasonal influenza, commonly called "the flu," is caused by influenza viruses, which infect the respiratory tract (i.e., the nose, throat, lungs).  Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people.  Every year in the United States, on average 5- 20% of the population gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications.  While anyone can get sick from the flu, some of us, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious complications from the flu and even death.

Flu seasons are unpredictable in many ways.  Last season, we observed the emergence of a novel influenza A virus (H1N1) and as a result the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years and it is likely that the 2009 H1N1 viruses will continue to circulate along with other types of seasonal influenza viruses for years to come.

Starting with the 2010-11 flu season, CDC recommends all people age 6 months and older receive annual influenza vaccination.  The best way to prevent the flu is by getting the flu vaccine each year. Getting the flu vaccine is easy, and it is the single most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. The flu vaccine is updated to include current viruses every year.  The flu vaccine that will be available this flu season will provide protection against the 2009 H1N1 virus as well as two other viruses. There will not be a need to get a separate vaccine for 2009 H1N1 flu.

While the flu vaccine protects against infection and illness, it does not give you the flu.  Flu vaccines are very safe as the CDC and FDA hold vaccines to the highest safety standards.  The safety of influenza vaccine is closely monitored and over the years, hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received seasonal flu vaccines.

Therefore, we at the Health Department strongly recommend that you take the seasonal flu vaccine this year. Also, don’t forget to take everyday precautions such as covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, avoiding close contact with sick people, utilizing appropriate hand washing techniques and staying home if sick.

We wish you a healthy, safe flu season.