Flu season is fast approaching, it generally begins in December and lasts through March, according to Dr. Ronald Goren, an infectious disease specialist at Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic. He says now is a good time to get a flu shot, and he urges everyone to get vaccinated. According to Dr. Goren, a flu shot is safe and effective. It's not a live vaccine, so any chills, aches or fever you may get after the shot, is not the flu, just the body's immune system ramping up to battle a potential problem.
As the weather cools down and we begin spending more time indoors, doctors will be seeing more illness. Covid-19 remains a huge threat, the flu will begin circulating and now is the time other respiratory viruses start spreading, too. Dr. Goren reminds us there is still no treatment nor vaccine for Coronavirus. Treatment is available for the flu and there are tests to determine which illness has landed a person in the emergency department.
When it's summer here, it's winter in Australia and experts look at Australia's flu season to get a hint as to what we'll face. This year could be a mild flu season here, but Dr. Goren adds, the extra protection of masks, physical distancing and frequent hand washing will go a long way to keep us protected. He says With Covid-19 patients filling the hospitals, the added burden of flu patients could overwhelm bed capacity and supplies. Getting a flu shot reduces the symptoms should someone get the flu, and decreases the length of hospitalization.