It’s not just your imagination- it seems like everyone has been sick this flu season. Even the top 24 finalists of American Idol were unfortunate enough to fall victim to bronchitis and the flu.
What makes one flu season worse than another? Each year, different strains of the influenza virus circulate throughout the world. About nine months prior to flu season, research on the previous flu season is conducted by the four World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centers for Reference and Research on Influenza. Based on these findings, each country then makes an educated decision on which viruses to use in the influenza vaccines for the upcoming season.
Sometimes the vaccinations are not a good match for the actual influenza viruses that make people sick. According to the CDC, this year’s flu vaccine has proven effective against 40% of the virus strains that are currently circulating the U.S. Although this year’s vaccine doesn’t seem to be well matched to the viruses, the track record is pretty strong. In the last 19 years, 16 have been right on target.
In this day and age where huge advancements are being made in medical science and technology, we get easily frustrated when we don’t have a solution. Can you imagine though, how difficult a task it must be to predict the next year’s flu viruses? Of course it isn’t pleasant to be sick, but I think the CDC and pharmaceutical companies deserve praise for their tireless efforts in ensuring our well-being. We can all try to take a little more responsibility for ourselves as well.
Follow these recommendations from the CDC to help avoid sickness and prevent spreading germs.
• Wash your hands frequently to decrease chances of catching the flu or cold
• If you are sick with flu, reduce your contact with others and cover your cough to help keep germs from spreading
• Get a flu shot- even when the vaccine is a less than ideal match, it still can provide enough protection to prevent or lessen illness severity and prevent flu-related complications
• Your doctor can prescribe flu antiviral drugs that can treat the flu or prevent infection with flu viruses
By: Jessica McGrail
