Flu vaccine season is here and I wanted to post some flu facts about influenza and some of its complications:
WHAT IS INFLUENZA?
Influenza is a virus that causes illness in humans. It’s present in Utah in small amounts most of the year then typically has a “season” where it’s actively spreading. Most years, “the flu” spreads frequently from Christmas until Easter with its peak activity coming around Groundhog Day. A typical case involves about three days of fever and body aches usually with some coughing. The flu is the most common reason I see a teenager curled up on my exam table feeling miserable.
Flu Facts: INFECTION AFTER FLU
Unfortunately, influenza makes some people sick enough that they get other complications from their illness. The most common complication is pneumonia. The flu can cause enough problems for the lungs that small amounts of bacteria can become a second infection. A lot of the times, these bacteria can already be found in the patient. Bacterial infections are less common than viral infections but have stronger potential for serious harm. They must be identified and treated with antibiotics. Other bacterial secondary infections that can be brought on by a case of the flu include ear infections and sinusitis.
In addition to pneumonia in the lungs, the flu can also cause people with asthma to have an exacerbation or “flare up.” Influenza is one of the top germs that cause children to need oxygen and be hospitalized. Over the last 10 years in the United States, more than 10,000 children have been hospitalized with influenza–related problems.
INFLUENZA DEATHS
Sadly, some influenza infections result in the loss of life. An average of about 100 children die each year from the flu in the United States. The last two years have been higher with 187 pediatric deaths in the 2017-18 winter and 134 last year. Some of these are children are medically fragile but a large percentage are those without any previously–known problems. Influenza–related death is an even bigger problem in our older neighbors, relatives, and friends. The data for flu deaths in people over 18 is more of an approximation, but yearly estimates average around 20,00 per year.
We know that those who are vaccinated each year for influenza get fewer cases and less severe cases when they do get the flu.
Roll up your sleeves and get your shot or mist this year so the winter can be a pleasant one, free of the flu and its complications.
