I was able to read the findings of Dr. Susan Rehm, Medical Director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and Vice Chairman of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Cleveland Clinic recently and include them in an article entitled Mind Your Flu Manners: Avoid it for Yourself and Those Around You.
After the article was published on EmpowHER.com, I was lucky enough to be able to interview Dr. Susan Rehm via email, in order to get even more information from the expert herself.
The interview can be read below:
Q
Dr. Rehm, many people believe that the flu season is only during three months of winter. Can you tell how long the season generally is? When is the best time to get the flu vaccine?
A
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), the timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary from season to season. In the United States, flu activity most commonly peaks in January or February. However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.
The best time to get the flu vaccine is as soon as possible! It’s not too late to get the flu vaccine this season. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease.
Q
The survey gave great insight into the mindset of people about the flu. But do you think people know the difference between influenza and a bad cold, since many symptoms match? Were the participants aware of the differences?
A
More than two out of three (69 percent) surveyed thought they knew the difference between cold and flu symptoms. However when provided with a list of symptoms, they only correctly identified half (5 out of 10) of symptoms associated with flu.
There are many symptoms of cold and flu that are very similar but despite sudden onset being a hallmark symptom of flu that distinguishes it from a cold, only 37 percent correctly identified it as a flu symptom.
Q
When we begin to feel sick, how do we know if we have a cold or the beginnings of a flu that warrants staying at home? What is the difference between a cold and flu?
A
The easiest way to distinguish the flu from a cold is to remember the acronym F.A.C.T.S. (Fever, Aches, Chills, Tiredness and Sudden onset.) People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms. People who have a cold rarely have these symptoms.
The most notable difference between the cold and flu is that while flu symptoms appear suddenly, cold symptoms appear gradually. Cold symptoms typically include a runny or stuffy nose, itchy or sore throat and cough. If you think you have the flu, you should stay home and contact your health care provider as soon as possible.
Q
Dr. Rehm, the CDC's “Take 3” actions to fight the flu make perfect sense and most of us know about the flu shot, based on the survey. But why do so few of us know about antiviral medications after we have the flu? Do you think doctors should talk to their patients about these, when they offer the flu shot?
A
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that fight against the flu in your body. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics, which fight against bacterial infections.
According to the CDC, when started within two days of getting sick, antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by one or two days. They also can prevent serious flu complications like pneumonia.
Every year 5-20 percent of the U.S. population get the flu, resulting in 200,000 hospitalizations and 4,000-40,000 deaths. For people with a high risk medical condition, treatment with an antiviral drug might prevent very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay.
The CDC recommends its “Take 3” actions to avoid the flu every season:
1) Take time to get a flu vaccine.
2) Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.
3) Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.
At the time flu vaccines are given, health care professionals should remind patients of these three steps and how to recognize symptoms of the flu.
Q
Many of our readers fear the flu shot because they believe it will give them flu symptoms. What is the difference between the inactive virus in the shot and the active virus in the flu mist? Is one better, depending on a person's circumstances?
A
The flu vaccine does not cause the flu. The traditional flu shot, which is given via injection, does not contain any live virus. A flu mist may also be used to vaccinate against influenza. The mist includes an attenuated (weakened) which will not cause the flu. It takes about two weeks for antibodies to form in the body after getting the flu vaccine, so that’s why it’s important to get vaccinated early.
The CDC does not recommend one vaccine over the other, the important thing is to get vaccinated. Pregnant women in particular should get vaccinated, but they should use the flu shot rather than the nasal spray. In addition people with severe allergies or other conditions should get the shot, not the spray.
Q
Every year there seem to be new findings about the flu and its various strains. Is there anything new this year that we should know about?
A
It’s too early in the season to be able to know about the various flu strains and how well they will match the vaccine, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry and it’s never too late to get your flu vaccine.
Many thanks to Dr. Susan Rehm for her time.
For more information about the real facts on the flu, click here: http://www.flufacts.com/index.jsp
Sources:
Dr. Susan Rehm, Medical Director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and Vice Chairman of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Cleveland Clinic.
Email Interview with Susan Cody. December 24th, 2013.
Reviewed December 30, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith