The Attack of the 2020 Flu

Quick! Run! Hide inside and never come out again! The flu has come to visit. There are many cases of the flu in every season, but the peak of flu season is usually around December and February. During this time period it is is inevitable to turn on the news and to hear that people are dying from this virus. Even those of us who get the flu vaccination still somehow get flu like symptoms. Why is this?

The flu, or influenza, is a viral infection that impacts the respiratory area. This virus is very contagious and is able to be transmitted through respiratory droplets and direct contact. The flu has three strains, A, B, and C. Influenza A and influenza B are the strains that we see seasonally where influenza C only causes a mild illness. When a person has the flu, they usually experience high fevers, body aches, and fatigue. This year, the flu was at worse then it has been for years. There have been at least 9.7 million reported cases, at least 87,000 flu related hospitalizations, and up to 12,000 deaths so far. Currently there are 46 states in the United States along with Puerto Rico that have been affected.

According to the CDC , people who took precaution and got the flu vaccine reduced their risk of the flu by 40%- 60%. So if this is true, how is it possible that people with the flu shot still get the flu or have flu like symptoms? Firstly, the flu vaccine is not always perfect due to the way that the flu strains are able to mutate. Researchers and scientist who make the vaccines try to predict the next year’s flu outcomes and it is hard to keep up with the constant changing because it takes up to 9 months to make a vaccine. This should not sway someone from getting the vaccine, because although it doesn’t completely protect you, it can be a partial shield. Even if you do get the flu, it may not last as long and it prevents you from dying from the flu alone. Secondly, sometimes vaccine users experience flu like symptoms and start to doubt the vaccine given. Sometimes you may have respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which has similar symptoms. It is always important to get the vaccine, and if flu symptoms appear, go to the doctor to get tested. For those who were unlucky, please stay indoors and rest.