David J. Weber, Charles Addison and Elizabeth Ann Sanders Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the UNC School of Medicine, discusses the upcoming flu season.
David Weber is an infectious disease epidemiologist and the Medical Director of Infection Prevention at UNC Hospitals. He oversees infectious disease prevention at the hospital, working to prevent the spread of infections between patients, staff and visitors.
We are entering flu season, and only time will tell how widespread and severe the illness will be this season. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. experienced virtually no cases of flu due to social isolation and masking practices. With the return to normalcy, flu infections have returned, and flu is following its normal pattern. A large population of young people have never had flu because of COVID-19 precautions, and these lower levels of natural immunity may now lead to increased flu cases.
Thankfully, Americans who are looking for the best way to protect themselves against the flu – as well as COVID-19, RSV and other respiratory illnesses – have many resources at their disposal.
What’s the best way for people to protect themselves against the flu this season?
WEBER: The biggest thing you can do, every year, is get an annual flu shot. It contains the most recent circulating strains and is an extraordinarily safe vaccine. It is usually 50-70% effective at preventing illness and is even more effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths from the flu.
Everyone 6 months of age and older who is breathing should get a flu shot. Even healthy people who get the flu will be very sick for days, so why would they want to miss class, work, football practice, social gatherings, etc? The flu poses far greater health risks than the flu vaccine. Flu vaccines are generally thimerosal-free, have never included mercury, and are latex-free. Further, the newest data even suggests that they are now safe for those with egg allergies.
Of course, it’s even more important that immunocompromised people get a flu shot. Enhanced vaccines are available for those over age 65 or for persons aged 18 and above who have had a solid organ transplant. It’s recommended that children under age 8 who haven’t had at least one shot in the past should receive two shots to improve the vaccine effectiveness. It’s also important for pregnant persons to get a flu shot, because they face a higher risk of death from the flu compared to persons of the same age who aren’t pregnant. And, by getting the flu shot during pregnancy, they pass on antibodies that provide valuable protection to their infants until they are eligible to receive their own vaccines.
Masks are effective against all respiratory pathogens, so those who are immunocompromised should also consider masking when out in public during flu season. Antiviral therapies can also be effective treatments for the flu when they are initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset.
It’s also important to plan ahead. Flu vaccines take one to three weeks to work, so you don’t want to wait until the middle of flu season to get your flu shot. If you know you are going to be traveling or attending a large gathering, you should plan to get your flu shot at least three weeks before in order to have the highest level of protection.
Distinguished and named professorships support renowned scholars and propel research at Carolina. These privately funded endowments help attract and retain the academic leaders of today, ensuring a state-of-the-art education for all Tar Heels.
As told to Audrey Smith
Photo submitted by subject
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