As the holiday season approaches, so does the annual flu season, a time when influenza cases typically rise. According to Matthew Heller, D.O., an associate professor of family medicine at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, the flu is a viral respiratory illness that often spreads in the fall and winter months. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that February is historically the peak month for flu activity.
Heller recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get a flu shot annually to reduce the chances of contracting the flu. He advises consulting a physician about potential exceptions and whether the flu vaccine is appropriate for each individual. The vaccine works by stimulating the body to develop antibodies that protect against the flu-causing virus. Even if a vaccinated person catches the flu, they would experience less severe symptoms and fewer complications. During seasons when the vaccine is less effective due to virus mutations, vaccination still protects against hospitalizations and deaths and reduces the risk of influenza-associated outpatient healthcare visits across all age groups. Importantly, Heller emphasized that the way flu vaccines are developed makes them unable to cause the illness itself.
It is crucial to get vaccinated proactively, as it takes about two weeks for the body to build full protection against the virus. Flu symptoms can include fever, chills, body aches, cough, headache, and fatigue. People typically do not become symptomatic until a few days after exposure and can be contagious during that time. Symptoms may last for about a week.
While most people who suspect they have the flu can recover at home with rest and fluids, those in high-risk groups—including adults 65 and older, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions—should contact a physician if they develop flu-like symptoms.
In addition to vaccination, Heller recommends frequent hand washing, using hand sanitizer, sanitizing high-traffic surfaces, avoiding touching the face and large crowds, and sneezing into a tissue or elbow as preventive measures. As a physician, Heller stressed the importance of staying informed about the flu season's impact: “The flu spreads easily from person to person,” he said. “Remember that getting the flu vaccine will not only protect you but will also protect all those around you. By setting the example, others will follow.”
Heller is one of many New York Tech faculty members lending their expertise to address real-world challenges. For more information, visit nyit.edu.
