Flu Symptoms, Prevention, and Vaccination
According to the California Department of Public Health, more people are dying from the flu in California than from COVID-19. As of February 8, the CDC estimates that there were at least 29 million flu cases, 370,000 hospitalizations, and 16,000 deaths from the flu season of the year 2024 to 2025. An infectious disease expert at UCSF, Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, stated that flu activity has reached alarming levels and their hospital is full to the brim.
National vaccination rates remain low with only 46% of adults and 44.5% of children that received the flu vaccine. Experts believe that this may be caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the reduced sense of urgency for flu prevention and changes in behavior. The national resurgence of flu puts at vulnerable position the elderly and young children. In a report by the CDC, emergency department visits in the United States are very high and increasing.
SYMPTOMS OF FLU
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu symptoms usually appear suddenly, and people with flu experience some or all of the following symptoms:
Fever or feeling feverish/chills
Headaches
Cough
Fatigue (tiredness)
Sore throat
Muscle or body aches
Runny or stuffy nose
It should be noted that not everyone with flu will have a fever. For children, it is more common for them to experience diarrhea and vomiting. Most people who get the flu will recover in a few days or less than two weeks. However, some people develop flu complications which can be life-threatening. The symptoms of flu are also more abrupt in comparison to a common cold.
HOW TO PREVENT FLU
To protect yourself and those around you, the World Health Organization provided five simple steps against the flu.
1. Wash your hands regularly
Keeping your hands clean protects you against many infections, including flu. Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water and use a single-use towel to dry them thoroughly. If you do not have soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Washing your hands properly takes about the same time as singing “Happy Birthday” twice.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
You can reduce the risk of infection by keeping your hands away from your face. Germs are most likely to enter the body through the mouth, nose, and eyes. If you do have to touch your face, ensure that you wash your hands first or touch your face using a clean tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
3. Avoid being around sick people
Flu is contagious and can spread through small droplets from the respiratory system when one coughs, sneezes, or speaks. It spreads easily in crowded places, such as in schools, nursing homes, public transport, and public events. When a flu-infected person sneezes or coughs, the droplets can spread as far as one meter and can infect those who breathe in them. An additional strategy for the prevention of flu is to wear a mask to further protect yourself and others.
4. Stay at home if you don’t feel well
Do not put others at risk by going out if you have the flu. This puts at risk those who have chronic medical conditions like cancer, heart disease, and HIV. By isolating yourself early, you can prevent the spread of flu and protect those around you. Even if your fever is gone, you can still spread the flu for about 24 hours.
5. Get vaccinated
The most effective way to protect yourself against flu and its serious complications is to get vaccinated annually. Vaccination is especially important for pregnant women, children aged 6 months to 5 years, elderly people, those with chronic medical conditions, and health care workers. Contrary to popular belief, a flu vaccine cannot give you flu. It is a normal and natural reaction for the body to feel feverish or achy after vaccination and generally lasts only for a day or two.
WHERE TO GET VACCINATED
Flu vaccines can lower the chances of illness and hospitalization. It is safe, effective, and convenient to get flu vaccines to protect yourself.
Ask your doctor
According to the California Department of Public Health, flu vaccines are usually covered by insurance. Children may also get a no-cost vaccine through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program at pharmacies and healthcare provider offices that are enrolled in the said program. You can visit MyTurn to find a vaccine clinic or contact your doctor to know if your child is enrolled in the VFC Program.
Find a clinic
You can schedule to get your flu vaccine on MyTurn. For Orange County, a list of local clinics that provide flu vaccines can be found here. If you do not have health insurance or a doctor, you can get a free flu shot from the Health Care Agency Flu Clinic. The Public Health Services Family Health Clinics are offering no-cost flu shots starting September 23, 2024. Flu shots are subject to availability and an appointment is needed. You can learn more by clicking here.
Go to a Pharmacy
Find a pharmacy where you can get flu shots and check if it is covered by your health plan. Pharmacies usually accept most insurance, including Medi-Cal.
It is important to remember that even though most people recover from flu without medical issues, it can cause medical complications for those who are vulnerable. To know more about flu, you can read more on the California Department of Public Health Website here.
