Dr. Matthew Bogard, Iowa Doctor - Influenza

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by the highly contagious influenza virus. These virus particles are spread by droplets, such as when a person coughs or sneezes into the air, as well as by direct contact with an infected individual. Influenza is most prevalent from October to May.

Symptoms of influenza infection can range from mild to severe. They might include sudden onset of high fever, chills, cough and sore throat, fatigue, and muscle or joint pain. This typically starts two days after exposure to the virus and may last for up to a week in healthy people. Certain individuals are at greater risk for longer, more severe infections or complications from the infection – these groups include children under the age of 2, adults over the age of 65, and people with certain medical conditions such as chronic heart, lung, kidney, liver and metabolic disease (diabetes) or weakened immune systems. Complications of influenza infection include hospitalization, pneumonia, dehydration, worsening of underlying medical conditions such as asthma or congestive heart failure, and death.

The most effective method of preventing influenza transmission is vaccination. The “flu shot” protects against 3 or 4 of the most common influenza strains circulating during the upcoming “flu season.” These strains are identified by the World Health Organization (WHO), which carefully monitors virus activity throughout the year.  The flu vaccine causes your body to develop antibodies to the virus strains in the flu vaccine, lessening the chance of catching influenza.  Getting vaccinated also prevents the spread of influenza to others who have higher risk of complications, such as young children or the elderly.  Influenza vaccination prevents 70 to 90% of influenza illnesses in healthy adults and reduces complications in elderly and at-risk patients by 60% and deaths by 80%.

You cannot get the flu from the flu shot, but some people do have mild flu-like symptoms because the shot activates your immune system to build immunity against the virus.  The most common side effects from the influenza vaccine are redness or tenderness at the site of the injection.  Headache and low-grade fever may also occur.  The influenza vaccine is made up of either inactivated (not infectious) strains of virus or no virus at all (these are called recombinant). There is a nasal spray vaccination that is available for healthy children and adults which does contain “live virus;” however, the virus has been weakened so it is not possible for it to cause illness. It takes two weeks for the influenza vaccination to cause the body to develop immunity. Individuals who contract influenza within that time were likely already exposed to the virus or their body had not fully developed immunity.

It is important to remember that the influenza vaccination does not protect against the common cold or gastroenteritis, which some people call the “stomach flu.” It is not recommended for children under the age of 6 months, those with life-threatening allergies to eggs, or those who have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Everyone else should be immunized annually, especially if you have any chronic illnesses, are immunosuppressed, pregnant, or if there is the possibility for exposure to the illness or for transmitting it to high-risk individuals (for example, those who work at a nursing home or daycare).  Because babies cannot be vaccinated and can become very ill, anyone who interacts with babies should receive a flu vaccine.  Even if you get the influenza vaccine, it is important to continue good hand washing to prevent the spread of influenza virus and other cold viruses.

Dr. Matt Bogard, M.D. is a medical doctor.  He is board-certified in Family Medicine and Board-Eligible in Emergency Medicine.  He sees patients of all ages, genders, and complaints.

References:
Blog: https://matthewbogardmd.blogspot.com/
News: https://medicogazette.com/dr-matthew-bogard%2C-iowa

News: https://hippocratesguild.com/dr-matthew-bogard

News: https://hype.news/dr-matthew-bogard/
News: https://attorneygazette.com/matthew-bogard%2C-md#7244cab0-d3fa-44b9-8632-6f83b0524da4

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewbogard/

Dr. Matthew Bogard, Iowa doctor, is an emergency medicine doctor primarily at the Lucas County Health Center in Chariton, Iowa. Presently, he is Board Certified in Family Medicine by the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons and the American Academy of Family Physicians.