The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department confirmsthat the number of local influenza-like illness cases is rising. With over 5 months remaining in the 2019-2020 flu season, getting the vaccine now can still provide protection. The Health Department recommends everyone over the age of 6 months get the flu vaccine if they have not already done so.

“Our data shows thatflu-like cases across Hamilton County are increasing,” says Health Department Health Officer Dr. Paul Hendricks, “It is not too late to get the vaccine. Flu season extends to May and the vaccine can provide protection until then.”

The influenza virus spreads easily from person to person. Sneezing, coughing, and talking produce infectious droplets that eventually contact the mouth, nose, and mucous membranes of another person. In this way, the virus moves rapidly through the population. When the virus reaches someone who is vaccinated, not only are they less likely to get the flu, but they are less likely to transmit the virus to others. The more people who are vaccinated, the more difficult it is for the virus to spread. 

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.  These usually last from a few days to less than two weeks. It is possible to infect others from 1 day before and up to 5-7 days after symptoms begin.

Young children, adults aged 65 years or older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions are at risk for more serious complications from the flu, requiring hospitalization or even resulting in death.

The most effective way to prevent influenza is to get the annual influenza vaccine. Other preventive measures include:

•           Wash hands often with soap and warm water.

•           Avoid people who are sick.

•           If you become sick, seek medical care, take anti-virals if prescribed, and remain at home.

•           Cover your cough or sneeze, and if you do so with a tissue, throw it away, do not carry it around.

•           Keep your immune system healthy by quitting tobacco, eating healthy, and being active.

Misconceptions about the flu vaccine:

Q: “Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?”

A: No. The vaccine contains just enough deactivated virus particles to cause the immune system to turn on its defenses against the real virus. Localized reactions at the injection site are possible, as well as some mildly short termflu-like symptoms, during which youwill not be infectious to others. 

Q: “I got the vaccine but still got the flu.”

A: There are several explanations for this. First, it is possible to be exposed to the virus shortly before or in the two weeksafter getting the vaccine before you have built up immunity. Second, there are other common cold viruses circulating around during flu season whose symptoms are very similar to the flu; only a laboratory test can confirm that you have influenza. The flu vaccine does not protect against this common cold. Third, it is possible that you have been exposed to a strain of the flu virus that is not included in the vaccine. However, getting the vaccine can still reduce the severity of the illness if you happen to catch the flu. Lastly, the immune response to the vaccine varies from person to person and some people who have had the vaccine may still get the flu.

Q: “I’ve never had the flu so why should I get the vaccine?”

A: It is possible for a person to get a mild case of the flu and mistake it for the common cold, during which time they are infectious to others. In other words, you may have had the flu in the past and not known it. Even with a mild case, you can be a carrier of the flu virus and spread it to people that are more susceptible. Getting the vaccine is as much about protecting others as it is protecting yourself.

Flu vaccine is available at all Health Department locations:

• 3rd Street Main Campus:
  • Adults – callfor appointment 209-8340.
  • Children – walk-in; call 209-8050 for more information.
• Ooltewah Health Center – walk-in; call 238-4269 for more information.
• Sequoyah Health Center – walk-in; call 842-3031 for more information.
• Birchwood Health Center – walk-in or appointment; call 961-0446 to make appointment or for more information.

Visit the Health Department’s Influenza website here.