Flu activity remains low in Georgia, but experts say precautions are still needed especially since flu activity often peaks in mid-February and the season can last into March or even April.
There have been 33 hospitalizations due to influenza in metro Atlanta hospitals during this current flu season up until Jan. 8, according to the most recent surveillance data by the Georgia Department of Public Health. This is far less than last year at this time.
Last year’s flu season was particularly severe because the predominate virus, H3N2, changed and was no longer well matched with the vaccine. As of early January last year, there had already been more than 450 people hospitalized for flu-related illness in metro Atlanta.
Since the flu is unpredictable, experts don’t know whether the flu season will remain mild or become more severe during the coming weeks and months. But the vaccine for the 2015-2016 flu season which contains the new H3N2 strain is a good match to the flu strains circulating this year, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Dr. Andrea Shane, associate professor of Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health at Emory University of School of Medicine and medical director of Hospital Epidemiology at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta provides her five key strategies for flu prevention:
1. Get a seasonal flu immunization now. Everyone six months of age and older needs a seasonal flu vaccine every year. It's not too late. Flu season can last into March or even April and it takes two weeks to develop protection. Encourage everyone around you to receive a flu immunization. Encouraging immunization of everyone around you helps protect them and helps to protect you.
2. If you are sick, stay away from others. Flu is spread by droplets. Reducing opportunity for physical contact reduces opportunities for flu to be spread.
3. Wash your hands. Practice good hand hygiene – wash your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizing product liberally – before and after eating, going to the bathroom, spending time in high traffic settings such as the mall or airport.
4. Cover your cough and sneezes with the inside of your elbow or a tissue that is then discarded. Sneezing into the inside of your elbow or a tissue reduces the chances those droplets (those tiny drops from a sick person) will fly out when you cough or sneeze and land on the mouths or noses of people nearby.
5. Take care of yourself. To help your immune system be in good enough shape to fight off the flu and other germs, eat a balanced diet, get plenty of sleep and exercise.
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