Sneeze

Fall officially starts on Thursday, and the change in season often yields more than just an influx of fallen leaves. The cooler season also brings an increase in cases of influenza.

A contagious respiratory illness, the virus infects the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death in sufferers.

The virus usually surges in the U.S. in the fall and winter, and the flu season typically peaks in February, according to the Center for Disease Control. But armoring the body with medication beforehand could save Americans a few sick days.

The 2016 vaccine was 59 percent effective against flu strains that circulated last spring, according to the CDC, which also monitors flu shot effectiveness.

Senior regional epidemiologist Kristy Bolen said 33 cases of flu hospitalizations and one flu-related death were reported last year in the FIVCO area, which encompasses Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup and Lawrence counties in Kentucky. 

“The majority of those people were not vaccinated, including the one death,” said Bolen, who noted that other maladies could contribute to flu-related hospitalization.

Globally, flu cases occur with an annual attack rate estimated at 5%–10% in adults and 20%–30% in children, according to the World Health Organization. Annual seasonal epidemics are estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide.

Those who are vaccinated against the flu often “tend to not be as sick as long” if they do contract the virus, Bolen said, or avoid the flu entirely.

But a flu shot won’t immediately arm antibodies for battle against the virus.

“It takes about two weeks for it to take effect for most people,” Bolen said. “Getting the vaccine earlier in the season helps your body build up an immune response.”

Bolen said the vaccine is especially important for those who already live with an illness or their caregivers, but “everyone needs a flu shot.”

Expert organizations like the WHO recommend annual vaccination for pregnant women, children between the ages of six months and five years old, elderly men and women age 65 and over, individuals with chronic medical conditions and individuals who work in the healthcare field.

Adkins writes for the Ashland, Kentucky Daily Independent.