Australian Officials Have a Premonition of Texas’ Future
Our easy going Aussie friends have a warning for our fall future. The southern hemisphere is nearing the end of winter and Australian health officials are reporting that this has been the worst flu season in half a decade. Not only that, but it came early this year.
Why does that matter to us?
Infectious disease experts note that trends in the southern hemisphere can give us a look into what we can expect here in the states. Moreover, with COVID-19 cases expected to reemerge in the colder months, we could have a twin-demic on our hands, making the flu that much more dangerous than compared to prior years.
Dr. Naticia Mortensen, a family medicine physician affiliated with Covenant, stresses that prevention is paramount for this upcoming season.
"Not only will your vaccine hopefully keep you from getting the flu, but if you do get sick, it will decrease the symptoms you'll have and how sick you will get from the flu. It will also help with not passing it on to someone else because your viral load will be lower," she says.
What's important to note is that in order for the flu shot to be effective, you need to give your body the chance to build up antibodies. This means getting the shot as soon as possible so that protection is in place before flu season begins in October.
Additionally, while some might be hesitant about getting the vaccine due to the possible side effects like a fever, headache, and chills, Mortensen wants to emphasize the importance of this type of reaction.
"[The vaccine contains] an inactivated virus that has the protein that your immune system reacts to so that you can build that immunity," she explains. "What immunity means is that those parts of your immune system that fight off the virus are ready to go. To get them ready to go, your body has to have a response."
Remember that not everyone will have this type of reaction, and the alternative is feeling horrible for 7 to 14 days. Therefore, make a point to get your flu vaccination before this flu season strikes.
"Flu shots are readily available in this town," says Dr. Mortensen. "We have them in all of our clinics. They're already stocked and ready to go. Also, any pharmacy in town has them and most don't require an appointment. Anybody six months of age or older should get a flu shot."