Five Things to Know About the Flu and COVID-19 this Flu Season

Now is the time to routine and receive your influenza (flu) shot and updated COVID-19 booster. Primarily based on recent an infection premiums all-around the environment, experts anticipate that the U.S. will have a longer, far more critical flu year than we have found in modern several years and with COVID-19 variants nevertheless triggering individuals to develop into unwell, it is a good idea to stay on leading of the most up-to-date boosters. To assistance decrease an infection charges and protect against adverse results from the flu and from COVID-19 this season, the flu shot and COVID-19 booster are highly advised for most folks.

In this article are 5 items to know about COVID-19 and the 2022 flu season.

Why it is vital to get both of those the flu shot and COVID-19 booster
Updated COVID-19 boosters and yearly flu shots support deliver protection for you, your family members and pals. For the duration of the 2019-2020 flu period by itself, the U.S. saw 7.5 million flu health problems, 105,000 hospitalizations, and 6,300 fatalities. A flu shot is the greatest protection to reduce the hazard of flu an infection, significant illness, hospitalization and death.
In the same way, there has been an common of 4,753 cases of COVID-19 reported per day in California this year. Acquiring the annual flu vaccine and the current COVID booster are the most effective techniques to prevent both viruses from spreading to vulnerable populations. These new boosters assist to restore safety that has waned because earlier vaccination and concentrating on current Omicron variants that are a lot more transmissible and immune-evading.
Who ought to obtain a flu shot and COVID-19 booster
Everybody 6 months and more mature must get vaccinated per year for the flu shot. There are specific groups of people who are additional at possibility for the flu, together with persons 65 years and older, folks who have specified chronic health-related conditions (this sort of as heart disease, diabetes, and asthma), expecting women of all ages and children less than 5 who are at greater risk of establishing significant flu-similar difficulties.
The CDC has proposed the up to date boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for older people and small children ages 5 years and more mature and from Moderna for folks ages 6 yrs and older. These COVID-19 boosters are bivalent, which means they target Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, and the unique strain of the COVID-19 virus, in a one shot.
When to get a flu shot and COVID-19 booster
Flu season typically starts in October and peaks concerning December and February. The CDC recommends obtaining a flu shot involving late September and late Oct as it can take about two weeks for the immunity to variety in your physique. Nevertheless, it is never ever much too late to get the flu shot.
You can properly get your flu shot and COVID-19 booster at the same time. Receiving an updated booster indicates you are encouraging to restore your body’s defense towards COVID-19, which has lessened since former vaccination. As a result, this presents broader security against more recent variants so getting the most up-to-date booster as soon as possible is encouraged.

“Getting vaccinated is a basic act of kindness mainly because it safeguards the persons about you who may well be far more susceptible to complications from either of these viruses,” claims Kelley Brinsky, DO, with Dignity Wellbeing Medical Team — Sequoia.
How do you know if it is COVID-19 or the flu?
Due to the fact both COVID-19 and the flu are respiratory ailments, symptoms can be similar and complicated to differentiate. Need to you be struggling from flu or COVID-19 signs and symptoms that you believe could make you infectious to all those all-around you, make contact with your physician to enable determine the best class for testing or treatment method.
“Because COVID-19 and the Flu have a lot of of the similar signs, it is a superior idea to get analyzed for COVID-19 as shortly as you have signs and symptoms,” says Dr. Brinsky.
Extra techniques to avoid catching the flu and COVID-19
There are a range of strategies to lessen the possibility in getting the flu, together with incorporating nutritious behavior in your day-to-day plan. The pursuing further precautionary measures can enable to reduce the spread of the flu as well as COVID-19:
– Deal with your mouth all through coughs and sneezes
– Wash hands typically
– Stay home if you’re sick
– Prevent touching your confront, nose and mouth

If you have flu or COVID signs, you should really call your medical professional as before long as achievable. You can reduce signs and symptoms by hydrating and taking around-the-counter suffering treatment these as Tylenol and ibuprofen when you start owning symptoms.

“The actions we take now to support cease the distribute of the flu will preserve our families and communities protected,” says Dr. Brinsky. “Staying up-to-date on your vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 is your best protection against contracting and spreading the flu or COVID-19.”

If you have any questions about indications you are enduring, you can make a virtual visits appointment with your key treatment supplier to aid establish care. Agenda your vaccinations now by calling your community Dignity Health and fitness Clinical Team clinic.