As the holiday season approaches, so does the peak of flu activity, historically occurring in February, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Physician Matthew Heller, D.O., an associate professor of family medicine at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, stresses the importance of getting vaccinated to reduce the risk of contracting the flu.
Heller recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive an annual flu shot, though he advises consulting with a physician to determine if the vaccine is appropriate for individual circumstances. The vaccine works by stimulating the body to develop antibodies that protect against the influenza virus. Even if a vaccinated person catches the flu, the symptoms and potential complications are likely to be less severe. During seasons when the vaccine is less effective due to virus mutations, it still protects against hospitalizations, deaths, and reduces influenza-associated outpatient visits across all age groups. Importantly, Heller emphasizes that the flu vaccine cannot cause the flu itself.
Getting vaccinated is crucial because it takes about two weeks for the body to build full protection after receiving the shot. Flu symptoms typically include fever, chills, body aches, cough, headache, and fatigue. People may not show symptoms until a few days after exposure and can be contagious during this period. Symptoms generally last about a week.
While most people can recover at home with rest and fluids, those in high-risk groups—adults 65 and older, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions—should contact a physician if they suspect they have the flu. Beyond vaccination, Heller recommends frequent hand washing, using hand sanitizer, sanitizing high-traffic surfaces, avoiding touching the face, limiting time in large crowds, and sneezing into a tissue or elbow to prevent the spread of the virus.
Heller emphasizes the communal benefit of vaccination: "The flu spreads easily from person to person," he says. "Getting the flu vaccine will not only protect you but also protect all those around you. By setting the example, others will follow."
As a faculty member at New York Institute of Technology, Heller is among many experts contributing to public health education. For more information, visit nyit.edu.
