COVID-19 might be essentially the most distinguished virus of concern within the U.S. now, however public health officers are also making ready for seasonal influenza. And indications are it may be a different season than what the U.S. skilled the previous two years.
The Australian flu season, which generally runs May by September, has already exceeded its five-year common, notably affecting kids below age 5, in accordance to a current report.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. skilled a steep drop in influenza rates due to masking and social distancing measures. However, that has modified.
“Many have stopped masking,” says Dr. Abinash Virk, an infectious illnesses specialist at Mayo Clinic. “For the for the large part, we will see the reemergence of influenza in the winter. In comparison, in 2020 winter, when we were all masking and social distancing, there was literally no influenza. But now that has all changed.”
Dr. Virk says that circumstances of influenza started to return because the masks got here off. “We’re going to get influenza this winter again, and people should seek out influenza vaccination when it becomes available in their local community,” she says.
Watch: Dr. Abinash Virk talks about flu season 2022-2023.
Journalists: Broadcast-quality video is on the market within the downloads on the finish of the submit. Please courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network. Name tremendous/CG: Abinash Virk, M.D./Infectious Diseases/Mayo Clinic.
Seasonal influenza, like COVID-19, is a contagious respiratory sickness that disproportionately impacts adults ages 65 and older. However, they aren’t the identical viruses. The similarity and differences of the 2 viruses additionally means it might probably be tough to discern between the 2 when the signs overlap.
Prevention is greatest manner to keep away from confusion. Testing is the one manner to be certain.
Testing helps restrict unfold, however it’s notably necessary for folks liable to extreme influenza or COVID-19 in order that they’ll then be handled with particular antiviral remedies obtainable for these viruses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that these 65 and older obtain higher-dose, together with high-dose and recombinant vaccinations, or adjuvanted flu vaccinations over standard-dose unadjuvanted flu vaccinations.
All folks over the age of 6 months are inspired to get their flu vaccination when obtainable of their local people. The CDC recommends individuals are vaccinated for flu by the top of October to guarantee they’re absolutely vaccinated for the influenza season.
Along with vaccination, listed below are different steps you may take to defend your self from influenza and different contagious viruses:
- Wash your arms typically and completely with cleaning soap and water for no less than 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based sanitizer in your arms if cleaning soap and water aren’t obtainable.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nostril or mouth.
- Avoid crowds when flu is spreading in your space.
- Avoid being in shut contact with others who’re sick.
- Cover your mouth with a tissue or your elbow whenever you cough or sneeze, after which wash your arms.
- Regularly clear and disinfect generally touched surfaces, corresponding to counters, gentle switches or doorknobs. This can forestall the unfold of an infection from touching a floor with the virus on it after which your face.
- Practice good health habits. Get common exercise, get sufficient sleep, drink loads of fluids, eat a healthy weight loss program, and handle your stress.
- Consider masking in crowded indoor areas, particularly when you have threat components for extreme influenza or COVID-19.
If you develop into sick with the flu, you can also assist forestall the unfold of the flu by staying house and away from others. Continue staying house till your fever has been gone for no less than 24 hours.
And a reminder that a flu shot does not defend folks in opposition to getting contaminated with COVID-19 and getting vaccinated for COVID-19 does not defend folks in opposition to getting the flu which is brought on by a different virus, the influenza virus. Currently, a mixture vaccine in opposition to influenza and COVID-19 is not obtainable, so it is best to have each vaccines to have safety in opposition to each illnesses. A mixture vaccine might develop into obtainable later this yr.
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For the security of its sufferers, employees and guests, Mayo Clinic has strict masking insurance policies in place. Anyone proven with out a masks was both recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a nonpatient care space the place social distancing and different security protocols had been adopted.
Information on this submit was correct on the time of its posting. Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific understanding, together with pointers and proposals, might have modified for the reason that unique publication date.
