Influenza, otherwise known as the flu, is unfortunately due to make a comeback this year. During the last two years, the flu, along with other respiratory viruses, was not as prevalent because the COVID-19 virus was more contagious. This year, however, as restrictions from the pandemic have loosened up, disease experts are expecting high infection rates for the flu. Predictions for a harsh winter, low vaccination rates, and people returning to a nuanced version of life before COVID-19 all contribute to the possibility of there being a surge in flu cases. Already, there have been two reported cases of the influenza virus in Delaware hence why medical specialists are recommending people get vaccinated now.
The influenza virus has been around since the 5th century BC and has been denoted as a very deadly disease. While the symptoms of this virus may range from mild to severe, it should be taken seriously as this disease is responsible for killing 12,000 to 52,000 people annually in the US according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, fatigue, muscle aches, runny or stuffy nose, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is important to note that not all of these symptoms will apply to everyone. The virus spreads through tiny respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The contagiousness of the flu is at its highest in the first one to four days after a person is infected.
This year, infectious disease scientists believe the rate of flu infections will go up. Jennifer Lighter, a pediatric disease doctor at NYU Langone Health, explained that flu seasons start in the southern hemisphere and move upward. For this reason, experts are tracking flu rates in Australia on what to expect here in the US. Unfortunately, Australia had one of the worst flu seasons this year according to Australia’s Department of Health and Aged Care. The good news however, is that disease experts in the US were able to figure out what strains of the flu were prominent in Australia’s 2022 flu season and use this knowledge to alter the flu vaccine accordingly. Lighter stated for the Popular Science news outlet, “we know that the current vaccine is matching well with what’s circulating in communities in the southern hemisphere” in response to this year’s flu vaccine.
Outside of just the worrying prospects of a difficult flu season, there are other concerns disease specialists have. One of them is the decreasing vaccination rates for the flu. The COVID-19 pandemic made getting a flu shot less of a priority for people. The CDC reports that only 57 percent of children were vaccinated against influenza last year which is 5.6 percent lower than in 2019-2020. The vaccination rates for adults are even lower as they ranged from 35.9 to 60 percent. Another point of worry for medical experts is the waning immunity of the population. Masking and social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic prevented the spread of the flu in the past two years but now the general public hasn’t been exposed to the virus in a while. Experts claim that because of this the immunity of people against influenza has likely decreased, causing people to be more susceptible to getting the flu.
While the possibility of having a severe flu season is scary, the best thing to do right now is to get vaccinated. Many pharmacies and medical centers have already started giving out flu shots in anticipation of the 2022 flu season. Although it is uncomfortable to experience the vaccine’s side effects and flu symptoms, it is better to be protected than to get severely sick.
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