www.mgh.net f Flu Shots: More Important This Season Than Ever By: Martin Pruss, MD, Chief of Outpatient Medicine, Marion General Hospital Every year we typically see our flu season the most common complications with influenza get launched between late November and early December. This is when we start seeing is picking up bacterial pneumonia because the defense is down. Although we don't have experience yet, one might deduce it would be easier to become infected with coronavirus if you've already been weakened by influenza. more and more cases of flu in our offices and emergency room. In many ways, coronavirus (COVID-19) and influenza symptoms are almost identical This makes it very challenging to differentiate one from the other based on the symptoms alone. The most common spread of infection is through respiratory droplets: however, common surfaces can also spread the virus. For both influenza Fortunately, we have very reliable lab tests for and coronavirus, it is important to regularly sanitize commonly contacted surfaces and public surfaces. It is also important for people influenza and reliable lab tests for coronavirus. Testing helps us to differentiate between the two and identify the appropriate treatment. with chronic ilinesses such as emphysema and diabetes to manage their health condition. This There is nothing particularly extraordinary about makes a big difference in how you will contend the strain of influenza that will be circulating this year. Flu shots are carefully planned based on how prevalent this last season's virus is and with the flu or coronavirus should you become infected. Washing your hands, limiting your contact with other people, staying home from work or social gatherings when you're not feeling well will improve everyone's health when it how dangerous it is. Interestingly. the southern hemisphere proceeds us by about six months. The World Health Organization watches that comes to both influenza and coronavirus. cycle and plans the next season's flu shot based on what the southen hemisphere is seeing. The Limiting your contact with other people is one HINI strain has been around since about 2009 of your safest approaches right now. Of course. and is a prominent part of the flu shot as well as we all must do a number of things such as buy two influenza A strains and an influenza B strain. groceries and run errands. When you must be in contact with other people cover your cough, wash your hands and wear your mask. Although they are not 100 percent protection, they We strongly encourage everyone six months of age and older to come in for a flu shot. A big part of the success we're going to have this winter in certainly slow down the virus and give it one last managing our influenza season and coronavirus season is partnering with the community to help hurdle to clear before it can get to you. us lower the load of influenza virus infections. Flu shots are available now at physician offices as well as pharmacies. The CDC recommends That makes this year's flu shot more important for the community than ever before. trying to get your flu shot in September or October. Between now and Halloween is a great Unfortunately, getting a flu shot does not provide time to get your flu shot and certainly make sure you get it before Thanksgiving. cross protection against the coronavirus. Most vaccines are quite specific to the viruses they are designed for including flu shots, down to the The very best treatment for influenza is to not get it, and the best way to protect yourself is to get very strain of the virus. This uniqueness is what makes it difficult to come up with a vaccine to your flu vaccine. I have had a vaccination every address the coronavirus. year for the past 31 years and it has a perfect track record for me. It's good protection. It does It is possible for a person to get both influenza not make you sick and it's you best chance at and coronavirus at the same time. Anytime avoiding a very complicated winter. your body is busy battling influenza defenses are down against other things. In fact, one of Martin Pruss, MD. Chief of Outpatient Medicine, Marion General Hospta MGH health BEAT Coc www.mgh.net f Flu Shots: More Important This Season Than Ever By: Martin Pruss, MD, Chief of Outpatient Medicine, Marion General Hospital Every year we typically see our flu season the most common complications with influenza get launched between late November and early December. This is when we start seeing is picking up bacterial pneumonia because the defense is down. Although we don't have experience yet, one might deduce it would be easier to become infected with coronavirus if you've already been weakened by influenza. more and more cases of flu in our offices and emergency room. In many ways, coronavirus (COVID-19) and influenza symptoms are almost identical This makes it very challenging to differentiate one from the other based on the symptoms alone. The most common spread of infection is through respiratory droplets: however, common surfaces can also spread the virus. For both influenza Fortunately, we have very reliable lab tests for and coronavirus, it is important to regularly sanitize commonly contacted surfaces and public surfaces. It is also important for people influenza and reliable lab tests for coronavirus. Testing helps us to differentiate between the two and identify the appropriate treatment. with chronic ilinesses such as emphysema and diabetes to manage their health condition. This There is nothing particularly extraordinary about makes a big difference in how you will contend the strain of influenza that will be circulating this year. Flu shots are carefully planned based on how prevalent this last season's virus is and with the flu or coronavirus should you become infected. Washing your hands, limiting your contact with other people, staying home from work or social gatherings when you're not feeling well will improve everyone's health when it how dangerous it is. Interestingly. the southern hemisphere proceeds us by about six months. The World Health Organization watches that comes to both influenza and coronavirus. cycle and plans the next season's flu shot based on what the southen hemisphere is seeing. The Limiting your contact with other people is one HINI strain has been around since about 2009 of your safest approaches right now. Of course. and is a prominent part of the flu shot as well as we all must do a number of things such as buy two influenza A strains and an influenza B strain. groceries and run errands. When you must be in contact with other people cover your cough, wash your hands and wear your mask. Although they are not 100 percent protection, they We strongly encourage everyone six months of age and older to come in for a flu shot. A big part of the success we're going to have this winter in certainly slow down the virus and give it one last managing our influenza season and coronavirus season is partnering with the community to help hurdle to clear before it can get to you. us lower the load of influenza virus infections. Flu shots are available now at physician offices as well as pharmacies. The CDC recommends That makes this year's flu shot more important for the community than ever before. trying to get your flu shot in September or October. Between now and Halloween is a great Unfortunately, getting a flu shot does not provide time to get your flu shot and certainly make sure you get it before Thanksgiving. cross protection against the coronavirus. Most vaccines are quite specific to the viruses they are designed for including flu shots, down to the The very best treatment for influenza is to not get it, and the best way to protect yourself is to get very strain of the virus. This uniqueness is what makes it difficult to come up with a vaccine to your flu vaccine. I have had a vaccination every address the coronavirus. year for the past 31 years and it has a perfect track record for me. It's good protection. It does It is possible for a person to get both influenza not make you sick and it's you best chance at and coronavirus at the same time. Anytime avoiding a very complicated winter. your body is busy battling influenza defenses are down against other things. In fact, one of Martin Pruss, MD. Chief of Outpatient Medicine, Marion General Hospta MGH health BEAT Coc