Is the flu here now?
Yes. The number of cases of flu is going up. Ohio has not seen widespread flu, but more cases are being reported each week. The numbers of patients presenting to emergency rooms and doctor offices for “influenza-like illnesses” is above the baseline of 2%. This means that significant influenza activity is happening now.
Is it too late to get the vaccine now?
No. The flu season will last for at least another 12-15 weeks. We still have plenty of injectable vaccine in stock at all offices, and the nasal spray vaccine at some of the offices. It takes about two weeks to get full immunity from a flu vaccination.
Is the vaccine not a good match for the virus that is out there?
Unfortunately, the primary influenza A strain that we are seeing this year is not well-matched with the vaccine. Most cases of flu have been from the H3N2 strain of influenza A. This was expected, but the actual strain of the H3N2 virus that we are seeing is NOT the same H3N2 strain that is in the vaccine. This strain did NOT appear in the U.S. until a month after the flu vaccine had to go into production. That is why it is not in this year’s vaccine products.
Does this mean the vaccine is useless?
No. The vaccine is still the most effective way to prevent contracting the flu. There are other strains out there, and as far as we know, the other three strains in the quadrivalent vaccine are a good match for this year’s crop of viruses. Sometimes, the vaccines have cross-reactivity (indicating they help cover strains that are related, but NOT identical to the strains included in the vaccines. In this regard, FluMist (the nasal spray vaccine) MAY offer more protection, but more studies are needed.
What else can we do to prevent getting the flu?
Good handwashing practices are a must. The antibacterial hand cleansers are also effective in killing viruses like the flu virus. Try to avoid people who are sick with the flu. Instead of shaking hands and/or hugging, a “fist bump” may be more appropriate when meeting and greeting people during the flu season.
Someone in our household has the flu. How can we prevent it from spreading to the rest of the family?
Again, good hand washing is key. Make sure the sick person has his/her own utensils and drinking glasses. Use disposable tissues to clean up any respiratory secretions (“mucous” or “snot”). If there are persons in the house who have conditions that could cause them to have a more severe case of the flu, or complications from the flu, it may be helpful to put that person on an anti-viral medication to try to prevent the flu. However there is not much good medical evidence to support this. Ask that person’s doctor for the best course of action.
I’ve heard there are medications to help treat the flu. Is this true, and can we get these medications to help someone who has the flu?
There are anti-viral medications for influenza. The most effective ones are called “neuraminidase inhibitors.” The most advertised medication in this class is called Tamiflu®. These medications have been shown to possibly reduce the duration of symptoms by about a half a day to a day. A recent (April 2014) review by the Cochrane Library (a service which reviews all the available studies on particular subjects), found that these medications DO NOT prevent complications in children (even children with asthma), and may not reduce the risks of more severe disease in any children. In addition, these medications could cause nausea, vomiting, and psychological changes in children. Depending on the situation, these side effects could outweigh any benefits your child may receive from the medication. Be sure to ask your child’s pediatrician about possible benefits versus possible side effects.