Has Flu Season Come To Georgia? How To Prevent Catching The Virus

GEORGIA — Has flu season begun across the country? Perhaps in some areas, health officials said.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory about increased influenza activity potentially sparking the 2021-2022 flu season.

Recent influenza reports in some areas of the country give health officials reason to take precautions. Overall, influenza activity remains low. But an increase in influenza viruses has been detected in certain areas, with infections particularly prevalent among adults, the CDC said.

Health care officials have also become aware of outbreaks at colleges and universities in several states. While Georgia’s Department of Public Health has reported no influenza outbreaks in the last seven weeks, the age group with the largest growth of flu cases over that time period is the 5-24 group, which includes young adults, according to the Influenza-Like Illness Net Visits by Age Group of the Weekly Flu Report compiled by DPH and the CDC.

What you should know about influenza

Public health experts provide quite a bit of advice on how to manage during flu season. Here are answers to some general questions:

How do I keep from getting the flu?

Beyond recommending that the public get an annual flu vaccination, the DPH suggests washing your hands with soap and water often or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid rubbing your eyes or nose until you've washed your hands, and cover coughs and sneezes with your sleeve, not your hands.

How do I keep from spreading the flu?

CDC suggests staying at home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands often with soap and water to prevent spreading the flu.

Who should get a flu vaccine?

Individuals ages 6 months and older, including people with chronic health conditions, are eligible to get the "flu shot," DPH says. There is also a nasal spray vaccine available for people ages 2 to 49 who aren't pregnant. The best time to get the vaccine is between October and November, but shots are available throughout flu season. Vaccines are available from primary care providers (doctors' offices), many pharmacies and most public health departments.

DPH recommends that people who experience serious complications from the flu or those living with or caring for high-risk patients get the flu vaccine, including:

• people 50 years and older
• people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses
• people with chronic health conditions
• women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
• children 6 months of age to 18 years of age

People who live with or care for high-risk individuals should also get the flu shot, including healthcare providers, caregivers for children under the age of 6 months, and household contacts for persons at high risk for complications from the flu.

Who should NOT get the flu vaccine?

The following individuals should avoid getting the flu vaccine:

• people who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs;
• people who have had a severe reaction to influenza vaccination in the past;
• people who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously;
• children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).

People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen, DPH says.

More information is available from the Georgia Department of Public Health.