This flu season seems worse than last year’s. Here’s how to protect yourself.

Dr. Mary Vearncombe — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 17:09:45 +0000

There are a few certainties in life: death, taxes — and influenza, better known as the flu.

Flu season runs from about November to March in North America, and each year it varies in length and severity. However, we often see a spike in flu cases at this time of year (during or just after the holidays), as people gather together in large numbers.

This year is no exception. The most predominant flu strain circulating now is H3N2, which disproportionately affects the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes or heart, lung and kidney disease. These people get sicker and are more likely to require medical care and hospitalization — hence the surge of patients into emergency departments and hospitals.

We are seeing a lot more activity this year compared to last year’s flu season, which was relatively mild. This year is still not as severe as the 2014-2015 season, when there was a poor vaccine match for the circulating and predominant H3N2 strain, resulting in more people becoming ill.

It’s important to understand that the flu strain circulating each year can change every flu season. Using data from previous flu seasons, researchers work hard to predict which flu strain will be most prominent during the next flu season, months in advance. This means there may be year-to-year variation in how well the vaccine and circulating flu virus strains match. Still, significant protection against getting the flu is provided even during years where the vaccine isn’t a perfect match.

So far, this year’s vaccine does appear to be a good match. Even though the vaccine only provides 50 to 60 per cent protection, it is still important that you get the flu shot. Not only does it reduce your own risk of getting sick by 50 to 60 per cent, it also reduces the chances that your loved ones will get sick, especially those who are at high risk for severe flu.

Although we are well into this year’s flu season, it is still not too late to get the flu shot. Because the flu strain you’re being protected against is constantly changing, you should get the vaccine every year. I always get my flu shot, as do all the members of my family.

In addition to getting the flu shot, there are other things you can do to prevent getting or spreading the flu. It’s important to clean hands before and after using the washroom or handling food, covering coughs and sneezes with tissue (and disposing of the tissue immediately in the garbage) and then cleaning your hands.

Practice healthy habits to keep the immune system strong, like having a balanced diet and getting enough sleep, and stay home from work, daycare or school when sick. These are all good habits to adopt, and will increase your chances of staying healthy through the flu season.

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A doctor’s take on the top 5 flu misconceptions

Dr. Mary Vearncombe — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:04:44 +0000

The cooler weather brings us together; we’re more often inside crowded malls and office towers.. and then flu season arrives.

To the healthy individual, the term “flu season” may sound abstract, perhaps irrelevant. But the flu, or influenza, kills about 3500 Canadians every year, and causes about 12,200 of us to be hospitalized due to the illness itself or related complications.

Below are five of the top flu misconceptions you may hear people talk about this season, and how you can stay informed:

1. “It’s really just a bad cold”

The flu is not “just a bad cold.” Generally, people who have come down with the flu will say they’ve been “hit” with the flu — and that’s no exaggeration. Knowing the difference can make all the difference for everyone.

2. “I don’t need the vaccine. I never get the flu. Even if I were to get it, I’d get through it.”

Chances are this individual, if healthy and hit with the virus, would likely recover with no complications. They would also likely spend time with family, relatives and friends — social circles that include the two most flu-vulnerable groups: very old and very young, and in some families, pregnant women. Transmission from an infected individual can cause serious complications and result in hospitalization for these vulnerable groups.

3. “I’ve got too much work. I’ve got to come in. And besides… it’s just a bad cold.” (see #1)

Good work ethic is admirable and important, but the health of an individual and those around him/her is also important. Have a co-worker who’s got chills/high fever? Aches and pains? Persistent cough? Best to advise this individual to head home.

4. “I’ve heard of people getting the flu from the vaccine”

The flu vaccine contains killed strains of the virus. People often associate the vaccine with a slight chill, sore arm, and not feeling 100 per cent. That’s not because they are coming down with the flu; it’s because they are experiencing an immune response. And that’s a good thing.

The sore arm, however, is from the needle – and for those with a quiet fear of needles, there is an effective, needle-free nasal spray vaccine option. This option contains live virus so is not recommended for older or very young individuals, or individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or weakened immunity.

No one can get the flu from the vaccine. But an individual can still get the flu even after getting the vaccine (see #5, second bullet). However, evidence shows that being armed with the vaccine results in a less severe hit, should you get the flu.

5. “The flu vaccine doesn’t work anyway”

Every year, the vaccine covers three strains of the flu virus. Last year’s vaccine protected against the H1N1 strain and the H3N2 strain. The vaccine also had an influenza B strain and provided protection against one of the two influenza B strains circulating in the community. The influenza strains in this year’s vaccine have been updated to reflect what has been circulating over the last year.

Things to keep in mind:

Don’t discount the flu vaccine, based on last year’s
The flu vaccine provides 60 per cent protection against the flu
Do think of it as a 60 per cent discount taken off the flu’s contagiousness – to you

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Cold Vs Flu

Influencza (flu) is not just a bad cold. Know the difference to help protect yourself and the ones you love.

Symptoms

Fever, chills & headache

Cold: Less common, often mild
Flu: Common, fever may be high

Aches, muscle pain, fatigue, weakness

Cold: Mild
Flu: Common, often severe; extreme exhaustion very common at the start

Stuffy nose, sneezing

Cold: Often
Flu: Sometimes

Sore throat

Cold: Sometimes
Flu: Often

Cough

Cold: Mild to moderate
Flu: Common, severe, persistent

Chest congestion

Cold: Less common, mild
Flu: Common

Reduce your risk of getting the flu AND protect others. Get the flu vaccine from your Family Doctor or at your local Public Health clinic.

Brought to you by Sunnybrook

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Updated September 2016 to reflect information for the 2016/2017 flu season

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Posts by Dr. Mary Vearncombe | Your Health Matters