Five Things to Know About the Flu and COVID-19 this Flu Season

Now is the time to timetable and get your influenza (flu) shot and current COVID-19 booster. Based on current infection fees all around the planet, experts foresee that the U.S. will have a longer, more serious flu time than we have noticed in the latest several years and with COVID-19 variants continue to causing people today to come to be ill, it is a fantastic thought to remain on best of the hottest boosters. To assist minimize an infection prices and prevent unfavorable outcomes from the flu and from COVID-19 this year, the flu shot and COVID-19 booster are extremely suggested for most folks.

Below are five things to know about COVID-19 and the 2022 flu season.

1. Why it is significant to get both equally the flu shot and COVID-19 booster
   Updated COVID-19 boosters and once-a-year flu photographs support provide security for you, your family and pals. Throughout the 2019-2020 flu time by yourself, the U.S. noticed 7.5 million flu ailments, 105,000 hospitalizations, and 6,300 fatalities. A flu shot is the ideal protection to decrease the risk of flu an infection, serious sickness, hospitalization and dying.

   Equally, there has been an normal of 4,753 circumstances of COVID-19 described per day in California this calendar year. Acquiring the once-a-year flu vaccine and the updated COVID booster are the most effective techniques to protect against both equally viruses from spreading to vulnerable populations. These new boosters support to restore defense that has waned since former vaccination and targeting new Omicron variants that are far more transmissible and immune-evading.

2. Who should really receive a flu shot and COVID-19 booster
   Everyone 6 months and older must get vaccinated per year for the flu shot. There are specific groups of persons who are a lot more at hazard for the flu, which includes folks 65 a long time and older, folks who have specified serious professional medical problems (these kinds of as heart illness, diabetes, and asthma), pregnant ladies and young children less than 5 who are at better risk of developing serious flu-connected problems.

   The CDC has encouraged the up to date boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for grown ups and kids ages 5 a long time and more mature and from Moderna for folks ages 6 years and older. These COVID-19 boosters are bivalent, that means they goal Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, and the original strain of the COVID-19 virus, in a single shot.

3. When to get a flu shot and COVID-19 booster
   Flu year usually starts in October and peaks involving December and February. The CDC suggests having a flu shot involving late September and late Oct as it usually takes about two weeks for the immunity to type in your body. Nonetheless, it is by no means also late to get the flu shot.

   You can properly get your flu shot and COVID-19 booster at the similar time. Acquiring an up to date booster indicates you are helping to restore your body’s security from COVID-19, which has lowered given that prior vaccination. As a consequence, this offers broader safety towards newer variants so obtaining the most recent booster as quickly as achievable is encouraged.

   “Getting vaccinated is a basic act of kindness because it safeguards the people today all-around you who may possibly be additional susceptible to difficulties from both of these viruses,” suggests Kelley Brinsky, DO, with Dignity Wellness Health-related Group — Sequoia.

4. How do you know if it’s COVID-19 or the flu?
   Given that both COVID-19 and the flu are respiratory diseases, signs or symptoms can be identical and hard to differentiate. Should you be suffering from flu or COVID-19 indications that you believe that could make you infectious to all those all-around you, call your physician to help determine the most effective training course for screening or treatment.

   “Because COVID-19 and the Flu have numerous of the identical indicators, it is a good concept to get tested for COVID-19 as shortly as you have signs,” claims Dr. Brinsky.

5. Additional methods to avoid catching the flu and COVID-19
   There are a selection of techniques to reduce the danger in finding the flu, including incorporating healthier habits in your everyday regime. The next extra precautionary actions can enable to lower the unfold of the flu as effectively as COVID-19:

   – Address your mouth for the duration of coughs and sneezes
   – Clean fingers often
   – Continue to be house if you are unwell
   – Stay clear of touching your confront, nose and mouth

If you have flu or COVID signs, you really should make contact with your medical doctor as soon as achievable. You can relieve signs by hydrating and using above-the-counter suffering treatment this kind of as Tylenol and ibuprofen when you get started acquiring signs.

“The actions we get now to support prevent the distribute of the flu will continue to keep our family members and communities harmless,” states Dr. Brinsky. “Staying up-to-day on your vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 is your ideal defense in opposition to contracting and spreading the flu or COVID-19.”

If you have any questions about signs and symptoms you are encountering, you can make a virtual visits appointment with your primary treatment service provider to assistance establish care. Agenda your vaccinations right now by contacting your regional Dignity Health Health care Group clinic.