Cases on the rise this year
say health officials
Clay County Health Department Director Clarissa Rogers answers editor Becky Long’s questions surrounding this year’s rise in flu cases.
When is the typical peak of flu season?
Flu season typically occurs in the fall/winter months. Flu can spread year-round, but most flu activity peaks between December and February every year.
Who would benefit from taking the flu vaccine the most, what ages, group of people, etc.?
Some populations like children, older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions are more at risk for flu-related complications. Even so, the CDC recommends that all individuals ages 6 months and up should get a flu vaccine annually.
When is the vaccine given and what is the cost at the health department?
The Clay County Health Department starts administering flu vaccines around Oct. 1 every year. Most insurances cover the cost of the vaccine but, for those who pay out of pocket, the cost is $35.
What are typical symptoms from the flu and how does the vaccine help with those symptoms?
Flu symptoms can present with many different symptoms. Although, most typically seen are fever/chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle aches/pains, headaches, fatigue and nausea.
Vaccines can help aide in combating these symptoms. Flu vaccines help reduce the severity of flu symptoms by triggering your body to produce antibodies that fight the flu. So, when you come into contact with the flu, your antibodies are ready to fight back.
Although flu vaccines may not be 100 percent effective, they significantly reduce the risk of getting sick, developing severe illness and spreading the flu to others. Getting an annual flu vaccine is important, as flu viruses change.
How would a person distinguish between the flu and say a bad cold, what are some differences to the sick person?
For some, understanding the difference between the common cold and the flu can be difficult. Although they are both respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses. Because it can be difficult to tell, flu testing is a great way to determine if you are sick with the flu.
According to the CDC, “The signs and symptoms of flu can include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue/tiredness. Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems.”
Is there a record of how many cases of flu have been reported in the county or state and how many deaths have been determined flu-related in the state or county?
The CDC has a great map tracker for this data. https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/usmap.html
North Carolina is currently in the “very high” activity level. If you follow the link above and click on the “Current Week: U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report (on the table to the right), it will take you to a weekly report for the U.S. There are several data points and tables that you can read.
What about RSV? Many people seem to have a terrible cough that they describe as "hanging on." How is RSV different from the flu and can the vaccine dimmish the length or strength of symptoms in RSV? Is a cough more prevalent in RSV or flu? Is there really any difference?
Much like the cold and flu comparison, RSV and the flu are both respiratory illnesses but caused by different viruses. Both can be diagnosed through testing.
However, there are some noted differences. RSV season typically starts in the fall and peaks in the winter months, usually from November to March — although, this can vary. RSV is typically more severe in infants/young children under 2 and older adults who have comorbidities (i.e., COPD/asthma, heart failure, etc.). Also, there is no antiviral treatment for RSV but, there is for the flu. Most cases of RSV are handled with supportive care/symptom management.
RSV vaccines are available for certain populations. RSV vaccines are not given annually, like the flu vaccines. They work by introducing inactivated RSV protein into your body, stimulating you to create antibodies against the virus. So, much like the flu, when you come into contact with RSV your antibodies are ready to fight back. Call the health department to see if you are eligible to receive your RSV vaccine.
When someone, no matter what the age is sick, what's your best advice to them?
I would encourage individuals who are sick to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, avoid close contact with others to prevent the further spreading of germs and consult your primary doctor if symptoms worsen or persist.
One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from COVID, flu and RSV is to stay up to date on your recommended vaccines. Reach out to the health department if you are interested in hearing more about any of these available immunizations.