Medical education: Current flu drift

Predictions are that the current 2014-2015 flu season could be severe. Anyone who has not already been vaccinated should do so immediately.

Individuals showing symptoms of the flu are highly encouraged to see their medical provider within 48 hours as treatment is most effective in this time frame.

Those already previously vaccinated for this year’s flu season were vaccinated for the H3N2 flu virus strain.

Approximately half of the H3N2 flu viruses that have been diagnosed from September to November 2014 reveal an antigenic drift within the virus. Antigenic drifts are small genetic changes that continually happen over time as the virus replicates.

What does this mean? If an individual gets sick with the flu virus, their body builds antibodies against the particular virus strain they were infected with. The same can be said when someone is vaccinated against a certain strain; they have antibodies against that particular strain. However, as the virus continually changes, the antibodies built in the body to protect against the previous virus strains will no longer recognize or fight against any new strains. This means someone can get the flu even after being vaccinated or already ill with the flu once in the season.

Even with the current flu strain altering itself, it is still vital to receive the vaccine if you have not already done so, especially if you are considered high-risk to severe complications of the flu. The vaccine can still help protect against other flu strains, lessening the symptoms.

Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. High-risk individuals include children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years or older, pregnant women and people with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease and kidney disease.

The 27th Special Operations Medical Group pharmacy is prepared for this season’s anticipated demand of treatment of individuals presenting flu symptoms. Although the 27 SOMDG is fully prepared to treat individuals showing flu-like symptoms, remember standard precaution measures such as frequent hand-washing and coughing or sneezing into the elbow of your arm instead of your hand, to help prevent the spread of the flu!

If you have any further questions, please refer to the link below or contact the Public Health office at 575-784-4926.