Q: What can I do to protect myself from the flu this year?
A: Protecting yourself from the flu virus is important to safeguard your health. One of the first lines of defense is the flu vaccine which needs to be taken every year at the start of flu season.
The flu vaccine is recommended in October before the peak flu season begins, but it is never too late to have some protection against the flu virus. For people who are age 65 and older there are higher dose (adjuvanted) vaccines available. These are recommended because older adults are more likely to have slower immune response and higher risk of infection and complications from the flu. In fact, the UC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 70-85% of influenza-related deaths and 50-70% of influenza-related hospitalizations occur among people aged 65 and older.
It is also possible to get the flu shot at the same time as the updated COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. As with most vaccines, people who are older or immunocompromised are strongly recommended to stay up to date on these vaccines. If you have any concerns or questions, check with your healthcare provider.
You should also practice good hygiene, good hand washing, and avoid contact with people who are currently sick. This may mean asking people not to come visit or to let you know if they are feeling ill. This might make you feel uncomfortable, but often people understand and only visit when they are sick because they feel guilty about cancelling. This will give them permission to cancel and help them see that it is the kind thing to do.
The other recommendations for staying healthy are all around having a healthy lifestyle. These are things that strengthen your immune system and your resiliency. This includes eating healthy foods, getting regular rest, disinfecting your home surfaces, and managing your health conditions.
While these things are common knowledge, they are not always easy to maintain. This can be a reminder of how important it is to maintain healthy habits during cold and flu season.
Last year I made sure everyone in my family got their flu shot, except for myself. I am sure I am not the only one who sometimes puts other people’s needs before my own. This year I made sure to include myself in the plans for the flu shots.
If you do find you show symptoms of the flu, see a healthcare provider right away. They may want to start you on antiviral medications and these need to be started within 48 hours of symptoms.
Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly and may include a fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, muscle aches, headache, or fatigue. While there are now at home tests that you can purchase at a drug store, if you feel yourself having strong symptoms it is best to see a healthcare provider.
It is always a good idea to prepare in advance in case you get sick this year. Have your home stocked with the cold and flu medications that you might need, canned soups, crackers, and other foods, and keep your medical, insurance and emergency contact information accessible in case a trip to the doctor is needed. Consider who you will call for support if needed and what your backup plan is if you are unable to get out to shop for yourself.
Prevention, planning and preparation can make a big difference this flu season. While we may not always be able to prevent infections, there are always steps we can take to help ourselves be healthier at any time of year.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
