Wellbeing
Preparing for Flu Season in 2021 By: Krystle Johnson MSN, RN, CIC Emory Healthcare
What is Influenza? Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus and it can infect the nose, throat, and lungs. People can suffer from a mild to severe case of the flu and complications from the flu can in some cases lead to death. Those individuals at a higher risk for complications from the flu include adults over the age of 65 years, pregnant women, young children, individuals who are immune compromised and those with underlying medical conditions, such as, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and kidney disease (6).
Flu (3)
Symptoms of the flu can be similar to symptoms of COVID and the common cold. Below you will find symptoms for influenza compared to COVID and the common cold (it is important to note, with any of the below you may not experience all the listed symptoms, or you may have a symptom that is not listed):
COVID-19 (4)
Cold (5)
Fever Cough
Fever Cough
Fever (unusual) Cough
Sore Throat
Sore Throat
Sore Throat
Runny or Stuffy Nose
Runny or Stuffy Nose
Runny or Stuffy Nose
Muscle or body aches
Muscle or body aches
Watery Eyes
Headaches
Headaches
Post Nasal Drip
Fatigue
Fatigue Nausea or Vomiting Diarrhea Loss of smell or taste
Is flu still important? The answer is YES! The flu is still very important to consider and plan for. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) estimated that during the 2019-2020 influenza season that there were approximately 38 million illnesses, 18 million medical visits, 405,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths (1). I hear you saying ok, but what about last year when no one had the flu? Well in 2020, there was a decline in influenza cases in the U.S. due to the 3 W’s (washing your hands,
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Insight • Issue 3, 2021
watching your distance, and wearing your mask) that were encouraged for protection from COVID. Once this guidance is no longer strictly adhered to, you will begin to see influenza and other respiratory illnesses in the community become more prevalent.
