Protect yourself in the middle of flu season

  • Published
  • By Maj. (Dr.) Daniel J. Oh
  • 47th Medical Support Squadron
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that can infect the nose, throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus that is responsible for up to 49,000 flu-related deaths annually in America. The flu season starts as early as October and lasts as late as May with peaks between December and February. Patients younger than two, or older than 65 years, are at the greatest risk of getting the flu. 

People who get the flu often have the following symptoms: fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle and body aches, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold as symptoms such as fever, body aches, tiredness, and cough are more common and intense with the flu. People with the common cold are more likely to only have a runny or stuffy nose and a sore throat.

The influenza virus spreads mainly through air droplets made when people with the flu cough or sneeze. Less often, a person might also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes, or possibly their nose. 

Flu vaccinations are the first line of defense to prevent the spread of the flu and are associated with a 60 to 70 percent reduction in flu-related hospitalizations among adults.  However, scientists noticed that Influenza A, the dominant circulating strain this year, began mutating almost immediately making this season's flu vaccination only 23 percent effective.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly advises patients to get their annual flu vaccination if they have not already done so. In addition, frequent hand washing with soap and water and staying home when sick are recommended measures to prevent the spread of the flu.

The Laughlin Air Force Base pharmacy stocks Tamiflu in both capsules and suspension form, and is available as prescribed by your provider.  This medication can shorten the duration of flu-like symptoms by 1 to 2 days if started within the first 48 hours of symptom onset and taken for 5 to 10 days.  There is some benefit to taking the antiviral after the first 48 hours, especially in those who have high-risk health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or chronic heart disease.

For questions or concerns regarding flu-related medication, please contact your provider team, or stop by our pharmacy with any questions or concerns.