Early flu season leads to increased hospitalizations

With winter on the horizon, St. David’s Georgetown Hospital is reminding residents to be prepared for flu season.

Flu season generally runs from mid-tolate November through February. The Centers for Disease Control uses studies from the Southern Hemisphere to anticipate what strains will be seen when colder temperatures hit. “This year, we’re having an earlier flu season,” said Dr. Jonathan Conner, medical director for the emergency department at St. David’s Georgetown. “We’re having a higher volume of flu [cases] and more hospitalizations from the flu as well.”

The predominant strain being seen is the h3n2 strain, a common flu strain that causes symptoms like fever, chills, body aches, runny nose, congestion, sore throat, headache, cough and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea.

Dr. Conner said children and older adults who are predisposed to have weaker immune systems see the highest risk for hospitalization. However, the risk of flu should still not be taken lightly by anyone.

“[Getting a flu shot] is the single most important thing you can do because it offers you a great deal of protection,” Dr. Conner said. “It presents a large amount of antigen into your immune system so it can recover faster.”

He said this leads to lower chances of contracting the flu, decreased symptoms and decreased time being sick and actively shedding the virus. While no vaccine can completely prevent you from getting the virus, he said the flu shot will significantly decrease risk and suffering if you do contract it.

Dr. Conner said people are wary of getting a flu vaccine this year due to varying beliefs about the Covid vaccine. He explained that these are two very different vaccinations.

“ThisisnotliketheCovidmNRA vaccine in that it doesn’t get into your cells to make copies,” he said. “It is presenting a fixed quantity of antigen that your immune system responds to, which creates the antibodies.”

Flu shots may be covered by insurance. He said people can get a flu shot at most urgent care, Minute Clinic, pharmacy clinic and primary care doctor’s office. For those with an egg allergy, he said to request a non-egg based vaccine rather than opting not to get vaccinated.

Other tips for staying safe this flu season, he said, are similar to Covid protocol.

“It seems most of the spread [of the flu] is by droplet,” he said. “Sixfoot distancing and masking if you are compromised is not a bad idea.”

He also said to avoid touching the face — particularly mouth and eyes — and to wipe down surfaces, even though it is less common to contract the flu from touch.

If you are experiencing flu symptoms, do your best to stay home to stop the spread. High fever or fevers lasting longer than five days should be treated by a physician.