Like the previous year, this upcoming flu season will coincide with a global pandemic. Flu season in the United States takes place during the fall and winter with initial activity in October and peak activity between December and February. During this time, the influenza viruses circulate at a higher rate. As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread, it is essential that we know how to differentiate between the two viruses and protect ourselves from both.
Epidemiologist Lauren Ancel Meyers, director of the University of Texas COVID-19 Modeling Consortium, told CNBC that, “We can and should do our part to prevent a catastrophic flu season, by getting vaccinated early this fall and taking sensible precautions if and when the virus starts spreading widely.”
As Meyers mentioned, getting the influenza vaccine is one of the most effective ways to protect against the viruses. This year, the flu vaccines will be four-component, or quadrivalent, so that they can protect against four different flu viruses. The flu vaccines are either egg-, cell-, or recombinant-based or given through a nasal spray.
Egg-based vaccines are the most common type of flu vaccine. Candidate vaccine viruses are grown in eggs; the fluid from the eggs is then harvested. The viruses then go through an inactivation process before being approved by the FDA. People with an egg allergy who only experience hives after exposure to eggs can receive the egg-based vaccine. Those who have more severe reactions, such as angioedema, respiratory distress, or lightheadedness, should receive a different vaccine. People six months and older can receive this vaccine if given by a needle.
Cell-based vaccines are produced through a similar process as the egg-based vaccines. Instead of the viruses being grown in eggs, the viruses are grown in cultured cells of mammalian origin. This type of vaccine is approved for individuals four years or older.
The recombinant flu vaccine is produced without a virus and instead uses recombinant technology. Through this process, scientists insert DNA encoding onto an antigen, creating an immune response. The antigen is then expressed through the cells. People 18 years and older can receive this vaccine.
Unlike the three other vaccines, the nasal flu vaccine is made from a live but weakened virus. It is sprayed into your nose and can be given to people 2-49 years old. The side effects are similar to the egg-, cell-, and recombinant flu vaccines; people may experience a runny nose, chills, congestion, and fever.
Which vaccine you receive depends on your health, age, and preference, but Ashley Zinkus, the nurse at the Barstow School, says that “Any way you can get it [the vaccine], I’m happy that you get it.” Additionally, it is important to note that receiving the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines together does not have any adverse side effects. It is currently believed that you can get both vaccines and the booster shot.
However, like the COVID-19 vaccine, one can still get the flu after being vaccinated. Flu symptoms are similar to COVID-19 and include fever, chills, cough, fatigue, shortness of breathing, change in or loss of taste or smell, muscle pain, and body aches. A person usually experiences symptoms one to four days after infection. With COVID-19, a person usually experiences symptoms about five days after being infected, but symptoms can also appear two to fourteen days after.
There are also several potential complications of the flu, such as pneumonia, inflammation of the heart and other organs, asthma attacks, worsening of preexisting conditions like heart disease, and even sepsis. Those at higher risk for these complications are people 65 years and older, people with immunocompromising and chronic medical conditions, pregnant people, and children younger than five years old. These groups are notably similar to those at higher risk for COVID-19.
Although it is rare, it is possible to catch the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. Housing these two viruses can make it more difficult for your immune system to fight off both. Also, having one may make you more susceptible to contracting the other as your immune system is weakened.
Other ways to protect yourself from the flu are similar to the precautions already being taken to fight COVID-19. Maintaining good health habits like avoiding close contact, staying home when feeling sick, covering one’s mouth and nose and avoiding touching your face, and cleaning your hands will help prevent contracting the flu.
Flu season last year was less severe, meaning fewer flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. The number of influenza-associated hospitalizations was the lowest recorded since the data collection began in 2005. This was likely because of preventative COVID-19 measures like mask-wearing, reduced travel, and school closures.
However, as things begin to return to normalcy and many of the mask and travel bans have been lifted, this flu season is expected to be more severe. Scientists expect a 20% increase in flu cases compared with a typical season, estimating about 900,000 hospitalizations this season. Additionally, because there was such little flu activity, more people are more vulnerable to the flu.
At Barstow, flu season usually lasts from November through April. To combat this flu season, Barstow will take precautions like administering flu shots to faculty, staff, and their families. Barstow will also continue to practice social distancing, mask-wearing, and washing hands in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines. Zinkus says, “As we bring in the five and seven-year-olds to the vaccination process and businesses and companies become less focused on masks, it will be interesting to see how that swing goes for the flu season as well.”
