INFLUENZA

Thanksgiving gatherings kick off a spike in other emergency visits as generations gather and swap germs.

What questions do you have about flu season, the vaccines available and where you can get vaccinated?

COVID-19 and influenza are difficult to tell apart. They’re both deadly respiratory diseases with similar symptoms — but there are a few important differences, according to Susan Rehm, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Rehm recommends calling your healthcare provider within the first day or two of illness for maximum impact with flu antivirals. She notes that several antivirals are being studied for COVID-19, but they’re not available for use at home. Another difference between flu and coronavirus is that we have a vaccine to help prevent influenza.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Local hospitals are preparing now for the possibility that they could be inundated with sick people if the flu season hits at the same time as an expected peak in COVID-19 infections. The timing of that spike could turn out to be a one-two-punch for hospitals if the flu season is severe. The flu season is typically most prominent between October and February, though it can hit early and linger longer. The CDC released its calculation of last year’s estimated burden of the U.S flu season. (Click here to review the CDC’s flu 2019-2020 flu burden estimate.)

LEARN MORE: Visit our special section on #FluVaxJax | TRUST INDEX: View recent Trust Index storiesBut some say they won’t get the flu vaccine for a variety of reasons. To find out what’s true and what’s not, we put common flu vaccine concerns through the News4Jax Trust Index. “People who get the flu vaccine can still get the flu, but it is much less likely to be a complicated disease process if you’ve had the vaccine,” Joshi explained. Finally, another myth is that people allergic to eggs cannot get a flu vaccine. Asked if there are any medical reasons why someone shouldn’t get a flu vaccine, Rathore replied with a laugh: “Yeah, it hurts a little.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. As flu season approaches, doctors are reminding people to get their flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the flu shot is the best protection against the flu, especially for those who are over 65 and at risk of developing serious complications. Joyce Hanson, a Jacksonville resident, said she plans to get her flu shot ahead of flu season. We always get our flu shots at Publix because you get your ten dollars card but we are doing our groceries by Insta-cart now so we both have regular doctors appointments in September, well get our flu shots at our doctors office this year, Hanson said. Dr. Albert Holt , Chief Medical Officer at Memorial Hospital, said there is a high -dose vaccine for those over 65.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. This year when considering getting vaccinated for the flu there are options: You can either get the flu shot or flu mist. Dr. Pauline Rolle, the director for the Duval County Health Department, said this flu season both are great options to protect you from the flu. Sometimes the flu mist and the flu shot provide different levels of protection. The flu mist has been in question before. Ive heard that concern expressed, but some protection is better than no protection, Rolle said.

With kids going back to school were still in the middle of a Covid pandemic and what we want to avoid is having two pandemics or two epidemics going on at the same time, he said. Doctors worry parents wont get their kids vaccinated for the flu. Dr. Rathore encourages parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible, especially if theyve never had the shot before. One myth that doctors say continues to persist is that the flu shot can give you the flu. While the flu can make you sick for five to seven days, if youre vaccinated doctors say it could be more like three to five days instead.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. According to a survey by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases during the 2019-2020 flu season, only 52% of Americans said they plan to get a flu shot. Its easier to get the flu shot and be protected than not and risk being sick. Laster makes batches of elderberry syrup during cold and flu season. Laster said daily doses of her homemade elderberry syrup along with healthy food, exercise and sleep keeps her family from getting sick. Elderberry syrup is sold in stores with dosing instructions.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Several counties across Northeast Florida are seeing a growing number of cases of influenza as flu season wears on, according to the Florida Department of Health. The health department routinely sends out a weekly bulletin that shows the status of reported flu cases throughout the state. While most counties are still seeing mild flu activity, the latest advisory shows three in our area – Clay, Duval and Marion – have been upgraded to moderate activity. So far this season, the most common type of flu has been the B strain, or what’s called the “Victoria lineage” strain. It’s still too early to predict which type of flu will be the predominate strain this season.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – With flu season upon us, doctors are warning people to get their flu shots right away. In Northeast Florida, flu season typically falls during the winter months, but it starts as early as the beginning of October and can last into the spring months. There were nine outbreaks of influenza reported throughout the state this past week, according to the Florida Department of Health. Chismark said getting the flu vaccine annually is the best way to avoid catching the virus. To help more people get the vaccine, Wildflower Healthcare Clinic in St. Augustine is offering vaccinations to the community completely free of charge.