The Flu is Kicking my Butt
This week my husband got the flu and was laid up at home for 2 days with fevers, chills, body aches, and a nasty cough. That’s a super big deal for him, because he never takes off from work. Now I have gotten this nasty flu and have been down and out the whole weekend. Thank God for my wonderful husband who managed to take care for me and the kids, despite still recovering. We continue to pray that my kids don’t get it as well, so any extra prayers would be appreciated. So, today I thought I’d go over flu information. Including information about the flu vaccine, which my husband and I have not gotten yet this year. Something we intend to remedy once we kick this current virus.
What is the flu?
It’s actually a group of viruses that have the same or similar symptoms and presentations. Usually it consists of fevers, chills, runny nose, body aches, and cough. Occasionally, it also includes gastrointestinal (stomach) symptoms too, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Each year there are about 4 different flu viruses that predominate. 1 in 5 American adults gets infected annually with the flu.
When is the Flu Season?
In the mainland there is a flu season, in the winter months, though the peak varies each year from December to February. Unfortunately, here in Hawaii, because of the warmer climate and high influx of travelers the flu season is year round. That’s right, Hawaii has a year round flu season.
What is the Flu Vaccine?
The best way to prevent the flu, or at least lessen its severity, is with the vaccine. The CDC tracks the flu and predicts each year which top viruses will be causing lots of disease the next year. Those flu viruses are killed and chopped up into the vaccine. People cannot get the flu from the vaccine as it is killed virus and is non-infectious. It can take 2+ weeks for the vaccine to become effective, therefore getting exposed prior to the vaccine or just after, may still allow people to contract the virus. The goal of the vaccine is to prepare the body’s immune system to fight off the flu, so that getting the flu will cause minimal to no symptoms. There are very rare side effects and reactions to the flu vaccine. More people die from catching the flu than there are side effects from the vaccine.
How Long Does the Flu Vaccine Last?
The flu vaccine lasts 6 months to a year, depending on the individual’s immune system. Hence, why the flu shot is recommended for all people who have a normal immune system annually.
Who Can’t Get The Flu Shot?
People whose immune systems are not working normally. This includes babies under 6 months of age, people with cancer, autoimmune diseases, or those taking medications to suppress the body’s immune system (including steroids). Also, people who have had a previous severe reaction to the flu shot should not get one. Those with a history of a severe egg allergies should still receive the flu vaccine, but in a hospital setting with close monitoring.
What About The Flu Mist?
The Flu Mist is a LIVE vaccine, with virus that is alive, but made not harmful. Some people do get a mild reaction and mild flu symptoms from the Flu Mist and it is NOT recommended for healthcare workers or people in close contact with anyone who is immunocompromised. It was not recommended for last year’s flu season because of inadequate H1N1 flu coverage.
Preventing the flu?
- Get the flu shot, see above, if 6 months and older.
- Stay away from sick people.
- Wash hands often using soap and hot water, for at least 15 seconds. Keep and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer for when away from a sink.
- Don’t touch eyes, nose, or mouth, especially if around someone who is sick.
What am I doing for the flu?
The best advice is to stay home and get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and don’t smoke or drink alcohol. Most people who get the flu do not need to see a doctor. Very young children, older adults, and people with certain medical conditions are more likely to get very sick from the flu. These people may need to see a doctor.
Go to the emergency room immediately with:
In children
- Fast breathing, wheezing, or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Trouble drinking enough fluids
- Trouble waking up
- Irritability
- Fever with a rash
- Symptoms that get better, but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults
- Trouble breathing, fast breathing, or wheezing
- Chest or stomach pain
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe vomiting
- Symptoms that get better, but then return with fever and worse cough
- Worsening of a chronic medical condition, like diabetes or heart disease
What Medications Am I Using?
Over-the-counter medicines, acetaminophen (Tylenol, specifically Tylenol severe cold and flu) and ibuprofen (Motrin), have helped with the fevers and muscle aches. I’m also taking Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) for the nasal congestion. I’m also drinking lots of tea, vitamin C (Air borne and juice), and water. Not able to eat much, so my diet consists of chicken noodle soup and saimin, plus a Banan that my husband and kids bought me today. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin because it can cause a rare but serious liver disease.
Are there ANY Other Medications?
Because the flu is a virus, a normal immune system will eventually fight off the flu. NO ANTIBIOTICS, it’s NOT A BACTERIA. There are a short list of anti-viral medications as below that need to be taken within the first 48 hours of onset, and even then, they shorten the duration of symptoms by about 1 day, if lucky. The medications are specific for either influenza A or B as listed. Antiviral medications may help people get better faster and prevent complications. Antivirals are usually prescribed for people who are very sick and need to be hospitalized, and for people who are likely to get serious complications from the flu. Doctors decide on the need for antiviral medicines. A rapid flu test is usually needed to determine the presence of influenza A or B.
| DRUG | TYPE OF INFLUENZA | ADULT DOSE | Rate Side Effects Cause DISCONTINUATION (%) | COST PER COURSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Amantadine (Symmetrel) |
A |
100 mg orally twice per day |
15 |
$14.62 ($9.73 to 13.62 generic) |
|
Rimantadine (Flumadine) |
A |
100 mg orally twice per day |
6 |
22.88 |
|
Zanamivir (Relenza) |
A, B |
10 mg inhaled twice per day |
3 |
60.04 |
|
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) |
A, B |
75 mg orally twice per day |
3 |
73.54 |
Increased risk of getting serious flu complications with:
- Asthma
- Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions
- Blood disorders (such as sickle-cell disease)
- Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
- Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
- Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
- Kidney disorders
- Liver disorders
- Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
- People who are obese with a body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher
- Those younger than 19 years of age on long-term aspirin therapy
- People with a weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids)
Other people at high risk from the flu:
- Adults 65 years and older
- Children younger than 5 years old, but especially children younger than 2 years old
- Pregnant women and women up to 2 weeks after the end of pregnancy
- American Indians and Alaska Natives
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
The people listed should be seen by a doctor to determine if an antiviral medication is needed.
Resources for More Info:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
References:
Influenza Vaccination Recommendations for 2017-2018, Updates from ACIP. Am Fam Physician. 2017 Oct 15;96(8):545-546.
CDC. Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, 2018–19 Influenza Season. Recommendations and Reports / August 24, 2018 / 67(3);1–20.
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