Flu season is underway. The week ending September 20th (Week 38) saw 45,194 flu tests performed, and 160 of them were positive. It may not seem like a lot, but we haven’t even started to enter peak flu season. Looking at the past month’s increased number of positive cases:
- Week 34 – 123 positive cases
- Week 35 – 142 positive cases
- Week 36 – 142 positive cases
- Week 37 – 145 positive cases
While activity is still low, it’s starting to climb. You should also consider COVID-19. This virus presents with many flu-like symptoms. Wastewater treatment plants help track areas where coronavirus is found in wastewater samples. Right now, COVID rates are highest in Connecticut, Delaware, Nevada, and Utah.
With schools back in session, it’s a good time to prepare your family for viruses like COVID-19, RSV, and the flu. One of the best ways to stay healthy is by washing hands regularly, avoiding contact with others who appear ill, and attending a Fresno flu clinic.
Facts About Influenza
The flu is short for influenza. This is a respiratory virus that often causes a fever, body/skin aches, headache, and a severe cough. While many people have immune systems that help fight off the flu, some end up in the hospital with complications like pneumonia or sepsis. Knowing what the flu is and isn’t is important.
1. Flu Season Is Highest in the Winter
Flu season worsens towards the end of November and remains at a peak until March. It tapers down again through March and into April. Most cases of the flu happen in February.
2. Flu Is Not Intestinal
You wake up and feel nauseous or must run for the toilet constantly. You cannot keep food or liquids down. That’s a gastrointestinal illness.
The flu doesn’t affect the stomach and intestines. People often refer to gastroenteritis as the stomach flu, but it’s not the actual flu.
3. Common flu symptoms are:
- Body aches
- Cough
- Fever
- Headache
4. There Are Four Types of Flu Viruses
There are four influenza viruses. Each one is further divided into subtypes or lineages. Influenza A and B are the ones that you see the most during flu season.
- Influenza A – Typically A(H1N1) or A(H3N2)
- Influenza B – B(Victoria) or B(Yamagata)
- Influenza C – Mild and doesn’t cause severe flu cases
- Influenza D – Mostly affects cattle but not humans
5. Flu Is Transmitted Through Respiratory Droplets
The droplets of mucus and moisture that leave your body when you sneeze, cough, or talk are responsible for the transmission of the flu. If someone is currently sick with the flu, they can cough in their hand and touch a doorknob and pass the virus to you. They could sneeze at a neighboring desk and spread it.
Once you’re exposed to someone with the flu, you can expect your symptoms to appear within a couple of days. A person is most contagious in the first three days and may not realize they’re sick at first.
6. Sepsis Can Become Deadly
One of the most dangerous complications of the flu is an infection known as sepsis. It’s a condition where the infection enters the bloodstream. Symptoms are similar to flu symptoms at first – body aches, fatigue, and fever – but it quickly changes to cold, clammy skin, confusion, a high fever, lightheadedness, a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and sweating.
If sepsis goes untreated, it can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure that damages essential organs like the kidneys, liver, and lungs. The earlier it’s diagnosed and treated, the better the chances for a recovery.
7. Flu Shots Are Not a 100% Guarantee Against Becoming Sick
One of the biggest myths we hear is that people get the flu by getting a flu shot. That’s not the case. While you may experience a few side effects like soreness at the injection site, tiredness, and a low fever, you cannot get the flu when you get the flu shot.
It comes down to timing, and this is why people get confused. Once you have a flu shot, your immune system gets busy building a healthy immune response to the virus included in the annual flu shot.
Researchers study flu trends. While the U.S. is in spring and summer, countries on the opposite side of the equator experience fall and winter. Analysis of flu cases in those countries helps shape what is included in the annual flu shot. The viruses in a flu shot are inactive. Flu shots do not contain live viruses.
Once the flu shot is administered, it takes a couple of weeks for immunity to build. Should you get exposed to the flu within two weeks of your vaccination, you can still get the flu.
The other complication is that another type of flu virus may increase. Suppose the annual flu shot focuses on Influenza A(H3N2) and not H1N1. However, H1N1 appears in more positive cases once flu season peaks. If the shot didn’t include one of the viruses, you could still get the flu.
That’s why we hear this question a lot. Why get the flu shot if it’s not a 100% certainty? The viruses in the shot are enough to protect you from severe complications like sepsis. You may still get the flu, but you’re more likely to get through it faster and with fewer symptoms.
Services a Flu Clinic Offers
A flu clinic is a convenient way to get your annual flu shot. They’re held at pharmacies, County of Fresno mobile units, and medical practices. You may not be thinking about going to urgent care for flu shots. You should, as it’s an all-in-one place to get caught up on your yearly flu shot and any others that are due.
When you go to a flu clinic, here’s an overview of what to expect. It will vary as some places take appointments and others use a walk-in system.
- Arrive at the flu clinic and check in,
- You may be asked for insurance information if it isn’t on file.
- Fill out any paperwork and inform the team of any allergies to things like latex.
- Wait for your turn.
- Tell the doctor which arm you want the shot in.
Once you get the flu shot, you may be asked to sit for a few minutes to make sure you don’t have a reaction. Reactions are uncommon, but some people may feel faint. It’s better to be near a medical professional just in case.
At home, you can use an over-the-counter medication to manage any arm pain. Try to take it easy the day after the flu shot if you do feel tired or sore.
Why Choose Premium Urgent Care?
Premium Urgent Care has five offices, and some are open weekends or later in the evening.
- Clovis – 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
- Fresno – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Selma – 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Turlock – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
- West Fresno – 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Fresno, Selma, and Turklock Premium Urgent Care locations close for an hour’s lunch break from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
All locations provide the option of printing out forms and filling them out at home. You also save time by checking in online before you arrive.
When you stop in for your family’s flu shots, ask about getting updated COVID shots at the same time. Our urgent care doctors can also help your family get caught up on other vaccinations you may not have, such as RSV, tetanus, or MMR. It’s a one-stop location for your annual checkups, vaccinations, and treatments if you suspect you have COVID, the flu, or a bad cold.