Flu Season Is Here: Experts Urge Action
As winter approaches, flu season is fully underway. Dr. Ana Pineda, Chief of Emergency Medicine at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, said we are right in the middle of flu season. Common complaints include fever, cough, body aches, and severe congestion, with discomfort typically lasting five to seven days.
Antiviral Drugs Have a 'Window' — Seek Help Early
Dr. Pineda noted that there are flu-specific antiviral medications that can reduce symptoms and help patients recover faster, but they do not eliminate the virus the way antibiotics kill bacteria. Crucially, these drugs must be given within a specific time frame — the sooner you seek help, the better. Otherwise, you miss the window.
Florida at 'Moderate' Flu Activity Level
According to the CDC's weekly influenza surveillance report ending Oct. 31, Florida is at a "moderate" activity level. Dr. Pineda believes this reflects a normal winter uptrend. Viruses thrive in cold conditions, she explained, and holiday travel increases person-to-person transmission across counties and states.
While early-season influenza activity is currently higher than typically observed at this time of year, that does not necessarily lead to a higher seasonal peak or greater overall severity.
Stay Home When Sick, Protect the Vulnerable
"Stay home if you are sick, and be conscious of the people around you," said Dr. Pineda, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable populations such as babies and the elderly. Dr. Hany Atallah, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Jackson Memorial Hospital, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that if someone is sick around Thanksgiving, they should probably skip indoor gatherings to protect others.
It's Never Too Late to Get Vaccinated
Dr. Pineda said mitigation measures such as handwashing and mask-wearing remain important, and it is never too late to get the flu vaccine. "The vaccine is amazing for the flu," she said. "It targets the strains that CDC believes are going to be impacting our region this year, and it helps definitely to reduce the complications of flu, like hospitalization, pneumonia, etc."
She added that the season can last until March, with cases seen as late as April, so getting vaccinated now still matters.
H1N1 Dominates This Season's Strains
Citing surveillance data, Dr. Pineda noted that during Week 43 (ending Oct. 31), of the 513 influenza viruses reported by public health laboratories, 502 were influenza A and 11 were influenza B. Of the 388 influenza A viruses subtyped, 379 (97.7%) were A(H1N1), 7 (1.8%) were A(H3N2), and 2 (0.5%) were A(H5). Since Week 21 (ending May 30), 83.4% of reported influenza A viruses have been A(H1N1) pdm09.
According to the CDC, it is too early to know what viruses may predominate or whether there might be implications for flu vaccine effectiveness this season.
Protecting Multi-Generational Households
For households with immunocompromised or medically vulnerable members, Dr. Pineda recommends staying in your room, isolating, wearing a mask, and having everyone around you wear a mask as well. Hand hygiene is also a huge contributor. She noted that the precautions adopted during COVID-19 — handwashing, masks, distancing — apply to any virus or bacteria and are the best way to protect ourselves and each other.
"Masks work, especially when it comes to protecting others from the germs when people cough," she emphasized.
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