With high levels of flu, health department urges vaccines | Local News

“We’re seeing considerably extra flu exercise this yr,” Dr. Scott Spillmann, director of the Southside Well being District mentioned. “It’s essential to get your flu vaccine as quickly as doable to maintain you and your loved ones wholesome.”

Flu season, the interval of highest influenza exercise, usually begins in early October and ends in late Might, in response to the information launch. Throughout most seasons, instances usually peak in January or February; nevertheless, Virginia is seeing vital outbreaks now.

A flu vaccine is required each season for 2 causes. First, the physique’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is required for optimum safety. Second, as a result of flu viruses are consistently altering, the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed annually and up to date to maintain up with altering flu viruses.

Residents ought to get the influenza vaccine as quickly because it turns into out there, well being officers mentioned. Nevertheless, so long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine.

Influenza, generally known as “the flu,” is a severe illness brought on by the influenza virus that impacts the respiratory tract. It’s extremely contagious and usually spreads from person-to-person when an contaminated individual coughs or sneezes. The virus will be transmitted even earlier than flu-like signs seem. An individual normally turns into sick one to 3 days following publicity to the virus. Typical flu signs embody fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nostril, headache, muscle aches and excessive fatigue.

For the 2021-22 flu season, Virginia spent 12 weeks at widespread. Throughout that season, Virginia reported 5,071 infections, 24 outbreaks, one influenza-associated pediatric dying and three,895 pneumonia, influenza and/or COVID-19 related deaths.

To reduce a threat of contracting or transmitting the flu, the well being division recommends these steps:

Wash palms incessantly and completely, for no less than 20 seconds;

Cowl cough, both through the use of a disposable tissue or coughing into sleeve, not your hand; and

Go to www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/ to discover a location close to you to get the flu vaccine. It’s secure to get each the flu and COVID-19 vaccine on the similar time.