December 11, 2019
Clinical Contributors to this Story
Jeffrey Fein, D.O. contributes to topics such as Internal Medicine.
Lauren H. Parkes, D.O. contributes to topics such as Family Medicine.
Updated: 10/26/21
Last year’s flu season had an unusually low number of cases, largely due to the safety precautions taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to the CDC.
We can learn a lot from last year’s flu season and the safety measures we’ve become accustomed to, to curb the spread of COVID.
Flu & COVID-19 Symptoms
The influenza virus, a respiratory infection, and COVID-19 share a number of symptoms:
- Fever/chills
- Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
- Cough
- Extreme tiredness or fatigue
- Muscle pain or body aches
- Headache
- Stuffy, runny nose
- Poor appetite
- Sore throat
- Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)
If you or a family member experiences these symptoms, call your primary care doctor immediately and isolate yourself from others until you can be tested for COVID-19.
Most people recover from the flu in as little as a few days or as long as a couple of weeks, but for some groups, the flu can lead to serious complications. It can be life-threatening for infants under 6 months of age, people who are 50 to 75 years old, and people who have chronic health problems (like asthma, diabetes or heart disease) or compromised immune systems.
“Complications from flu can be mild, such as sinus or ear infections, or more severe,” says Jeffrey Fein, D.O., board certified in internal medicine. “Pneumonia and inflammation of the heart or brain can be very serious and require the patient to be hospitalized.”
Here are five things you and your family can do to help fight the flu:
1. Get the flu shot.
The best thing to do is make sure that all members of your family who are at least six months old have a flu shot this year. This vaccination stimulates your body’s immune system to make antibodies that can fight the virus if you are exposed to it later.
Unlike other vaccinations, such as those for polio or measles, people need to have a flu shot annually. This is because every year, there are different strains that cause influenza in the population. The flu shot you receive this year will guard against the three or four strains that doctors predict will be most prevalent this flu season.
“There are certain people that might need to look into other options for their flu vaccine,” says Jasmine Baez, M.D., an internal medicine doctor. “Those who have a severe allergy to eggs or who have had a bad reaction to the flu shot previously should speak to their doctor about whether the nasal flu vaccine might be a better choice.”
2. Wash your hands frequently.
Flu is extremely contagious and can spread via droplets produced when coughing, sneezing, or talking or by touching contaminated surfaces. People often touch their eyes, nose and mouth without even realizing it, and germs can get into our bodies that way.
People can also touch foods or drinks with germs on their hands. When those items are consumed they can make you sick. Washing frequently with soap and clean water is critical.
3. Avoid crowds.
Large entertainment venues or travel hubs are places where germs can circulate easily. If you do find yourself in a crowd, wear a mask and carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer fort when you can’t make it to a sink.
4. If you do get sick, quarantine until you can be tested for COVID-19.
If you do get sick, it’s important that you limit your exposure to others to avoid the spread of illness, whether it’s the flu or COVID-19. Quarantine yourself until you are able to get tested for COVID.
Pro tip: Use a rubber band to keep an old tissue box attached to the one you’re using to have a built-in garbage can for those germy tissues!
5. Talk to your doctor about an antiviral medication for the flu.
There are also medications that can help people who contract the flu. “Antiviral medications may be recommended for people who have a high risk of developing complications,” says Lauren Parkes, D.O., board certified in family medicine. “Because they disrupt functions of the virus itself, they can reduce the duration of the disease, as well as limit spreading it to others.”
These benefits are most effective when the medication is taken shortly after flu symptoms first appear, within 48 hours. People with high risk of complications should contact their doctor as soon as possible if they suspect they have the flu, or COVID-19.
Next Steps & Resources:
- Meet our Sources: Jeffrey Fein, M.D., Jazmine Baez, M.D., and Lauren Parkes, D.O. To make an appointment with a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
- Find a doctor near you
- Should I Wear a Mask During Flu Season?
All of the physicians mentioned in this article are part of Hackensack Meridian Health Medical Group, a network of over 1,000 physicians and advanced providers at more than 300 practice locations throughout New Jersey. Visit HMHMedicalGroup.org for more information.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
