“THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FLU HOSPITALIZATIONS IN A DECADE,” the headlines blare. Moreover, there are no signs that the virus is going away anytime soon in the United States. Today I will give you 3 tips to reduce your flu risk.
In addition to the flu problem, COVID-19 cases have risen since Thanksgiving. Fortunately, the spread of the third tripledemic component — RSV or respiratory syncytial virus — appears to be slowing. These were the observations of Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) director, earlier this month.
For those of us who have had the flu and recovered in a few days, we can forget that infection can be life-threatening. The CDC reminds us of the danger of influenza: Since October, there have been more than 7300 deaths from it (including 21 children).
Given a relatively low flu vaccination rate and all of the holiday gatherings, millions of us are in harm’s way. Today, we explore who is at the highest risk, the value of a flu shot, and illnesses associated with influenza infection.
“She murmured, We could always blame the stars. I beg your pardon, Doctor? That’s what influenza means, she said. Influenza delle stelle — the influence of the stars. Medieval Italians thought the illness proved that the heavens were governing their fates, that people were quite literally star-crossed. I pictured that, the celestial bodies trying to fly us like upsidedown kites. Or perhaps just yanking on us for their obscure amusement.” ― Emma Donoghue, The Pull of the Stars
The flu — Are you at high risk for complications?
Here are the groups that have an increased risk for influenza complications:
Children under five (especially under two); adults 65 or older; pregnant women and those up to two weeks post-partum; long-term care residents; non-Hispanic Black persons, Hispanic or Latino individuals; and American Indian or Alaska Natives.
Let’s get a bit more granular. People 65 or older have a 9.2-times risk for flu-related hospitalization than those five to 17. African Americans are 1.7 times more likely than whites, had Hispanics have a 1.2 times higher risk than non-Hispanics.
“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass.
The season matters: a seasonal influenza epidemic occurs nearly every year in the United States. We don’t understand why some flu seasons are more severe than others. Here are the number of times a month has been the year’s leading one in incidence (1982–2020):
For those who live in temperate places, annual influenza epidemics usually happen in the winter. Less commonly, we may see influenza outbreaks during warm weather months.
On the other hand, in tropical or subtropical environments, flu activity may happen year-round. The disease often peaks during cooler or rainy-season months.
Medical conditions associated with a higher risk include the following:
- Asthma
- Neurologic conditions (including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, stroke, intellectual disability, moderate-to-severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, and spinal cord injury)
- Chronic lung disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis)
- Heart disease (e.g., congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease)
- Blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease)
- Endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
- Kidney diseases
- Liver disorders
- Metabolic disorders (e.g., inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
- Weakened immune system due to disease (e.g., HIV, AIDS, cancer) or medication (e.g., chemotherapy or radiation therapy, chronic glucocorticoids)
- Children <19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
- People with a body mass index of 40 or higher
Tip 1 to reduce your flu risk: Get a vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control offers that an annual flu vaccine is the most important step to protect ourselves against flu viruses. Why?
Flu vaccines help lower the healthcare burden of flu-related illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. Many of my patients question whether the jab is effective. Here are some statistics that may make you re-consider skipping a flu shot:
During 2019–2020 (the last flu season before the COVID-19 pandemic), flu vaccination prevented an estimated 7.5 million influenza illnesses, 3.7 million influenza-associated medical visits, 105,000 hospitalizations, and 6,300 influenza-related deaths.
When the scientists guess right — when flu vaccines are similar to circulating flu viruses — vaccination can drop flu-associated doctor visits by approximately half.
With this risk reduction in mind, the CDC recommends that everybody six months and older get an annual flu vaccine, ideally by the end of October. Learn more about vaccine timing.
Vaccination is especially important for those at higher risk of developing severe complications from an infection. This group includes healthcare workers and others who live with (or care for) higher-risk individuals.
Children younger than six months are at higher risk of serious flu illness but are too young to be vaccinated. Those around infants should have appropriate vaccinations.
Tip 2 to fight the flu: Mask, distance, and wash
A recent study discovered that flu incidence is strongly influenced by the measures you are already taking to dodge COVID-19.
Following the widespread adoption of community mitigation efforts to reduce COVID-19 transmission, the percentage of respiratory specimens (submitted in the United States) submitted that showed flu virus dropped from over 20 percent to about two percent in 2020. Southern Hemisphere countries reported little influenza activity, too.
For me, this observation translates into physical distancing and mask-wearing where appropriate. I continue to wash my hands as well. I work with patients with cancer; I want to minimize the risk I will harm another.
Tip 3 to reduce your flu risk: Sleep
Sleep is an often underrecognized tool for optimizing your immune system. Get quality sleep regularly to improve your chances of staying healthy this winter season.
Inadequate sleep makes you more likely to get sick after exposure to a virus.
I hope you have a joy-filled (and safe) day. One more thing:
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
Thank you for joining me in looking at 3 tips to reduce your flu risk.
