By Hayley Kappes
Killeen Daily Herald

The holiday season is upon us, and as the weather transitions to colder days, flu season has sprung up as well.

It still is not too late to receive influenza vaccinations. In fact, most doctors are urging people to receive one before Thanksgiving. Flu season extends all the way through March.

Kristy Anderson, M.D., runs a family practice in Copperas Cove. Her clinic has already seen some early cases of patients who are testing positive for the flu virus this season.

Anderson explained the flu vaccine protects against type A and B of the virus, which are the most serious strains.

"The flu shot is not the actual virus, but is similar in its structure to what the virus is anticipated to look like this year," she said. "Your body mounts a response to it and restores it in memory, so when you encounter the virus itself, your body can master a faster response in treating it."

Different strains of the virus arise every year, Anderson said. The World Health Organization predicts which strains will surface in the following year. Pharmaceutical companies then create their vaccines based on those predictions, that will be able to best combat the predicted strains.

September through early November is the best time to receive a flu shot.

There is also a flu mist for people that is administered nasally to prevent the virus. The mist contains an inactivated flu virus, which was killed in a medical lab. Anderson said this method of flu prevention is only recommended for the healthiest of patients.

The flu vaccine is not recommended for people who are allergic to eggs or who had a previous negative response to the shot. Anderson said it's widely encouraged for everyone from six months to death.

Flu symptoms include a rapid onset of high temperature, full body aches, headaches and overall tiredness. Anderson said treatment is crucial within the first 24 to 48 hours of flu symptoms arising because antiviral medicines will have a quicker response time in that window.

"Usually you'll see an improvement in the next three to four days," Anderson said. "Antivirals are used to treat it for the specific strain of flu and then the symptoms are treated."

The flu is spread by small, aerosol droplets which can attach to all surfaces. Anderson said hand washing is crucial, since the virus is spread so easily.

At her clinic, private pay for the shot is $34, but insurance plans will cover it.

Anderson said her practice saw some severe flu cases last year where people were hospitalized, and nationwide there were over 30,000 patients diagnosed with the virus.

Manju Gaglani, pediatric infectious disease specialist at Scott & White Children's Hospital in Temple, said the flu is especially detrimental to babies 12 months and younger and elderly people 65 and older.

The Federal Drug Administration has not approved any flu medication for infants. If an infant has a severe flu case, off-label antiviral medication can be administered, but it's reserved for intensive care unit patients. Babies under a year old mostly will be treated symptomatically, Gaglani said.

"All we can really do is let it run it's course and make sure they aren't getting infections," she said. "Babies will get a high fever, and can have serious bacterial infections resulting from the flu."

The National Vaccine Advisory Committee recommended that all children aged 6 months to 18 years receive a flu vaccine this year.

Schools are breeding grounds for the flu. Gaglani said children have less exposure to the virus, so their immune system is ill-prepared to defend against flu. It's also spread easily because typically children aren't aware the importance of good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently.

The flu is also easily spread within a household.

Gaglani said infants and children have the highest rate of hospitalization for flu.

"We always have immunization rates that aren't the greatest for flu in this area," Gaglani said. "There's only a couple months to get vaccinated where the shot will be most effective."

Contact Hayley Kappes at hayleyk@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7559.

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