There's no avoiding the flu season as it makes its way through the country each year. For the 2014-2015 season though, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns of a severe season that may persist until May the following year.
Typically, flu activity in the United States peaks most commonly from December to February. However, flu seasons can vary, with some starting as early as October and occurring as late as May. This mostly depends on how virulent the most common influenza strains are in a season. Experts believe the current season may present severe cases because the most common strain identified so far is influenza A type H3N2.
In the past, the strain was associated with higher rates of hospitalization and deaths, most especially in patients who are very young, older or who are at increased risk because of other conditions. Furthermore, the H3N2 strain currently making its rounds in the country is not exactly the same as the strain used for developing this season's flu vaccine. This means while flu vaccines available now can protect against the H3N2 virus, they are not designed to specifically protect against the season's most common strain.
While 100 percent protection is not guaranteed (as it has never been before), getting a flu shot is still the best way to weather through a flu season no matter how severe it may be. After all, some protection is better than no protection at all.
To help mitigate some of the effects of catching the flu, antiviral medications like Relenza and Tamiflu are recommended to be taken as early as possible once an infection is confirmed or suspected. This may help reduce the severity of flu, lessening the likelihood of complications.
Those who are at higher risk of encountering complications due to the flu include children under two years old, adults over age 65, pregnant women, the morbidly obese, those with compromised immune systems and those who are diagnosed with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and epilepsy.
As different influenza strains circulate and levels of antibodies in the body drop after a vaccination, it is important for everyone to ensure they get flu shots every year. For the 2014-2015 season, all vaccines are made to protect against the following strains: A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09, A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2) and B/Massachusetts/2/2012. Quadrivalent vaccines (those that protect against four strains) can additionally take care of another B virus, the B/Brisbane/60/2008.
