Flu season may be upon us once again, but not everyone will experience it the same way.
While some individuals who contract the virus must only endure a few days of a stuffy nose and mild fever, others can find themselves in the Emergency Department due to serious flu-induced complications.
That’s because certain factors can greatly impact the immune system and the body’s ability to fight off this invader.
The virus itself is technically the same for every person. What’s different is the host, or patient. Some hosts are more vulnerable. At-risk individuals include those who are:
- Diagnosed with chronic medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, COPD, asthma and heart disease
- Older than 65 or younger than 5 years old
- Pregnant or postpartum
Chronic medical conditions
The flu can negatively impact those with chronic conditions because, in many cases, the body is already working on overdrive to compensate for their disease(s).
Since the body is already exerting all this energy toward making sure their blood pressure doesn’t skyrocket, their sugar is regulated, it doesn’t have as much energy to fight off the same virus. The virus is smart. It recognizes that there are already some holes in the immunity shield. It’s easier for the virus to integrate into that body and wreak havoc compared to somebody who doesn’t have chronic conditions.
Age
Younger and older individuals are prone to negative impacts of the flu due to the strength of their immune response.
A child’s immune system isn’t mature yet. When they get sick, they get all these antibodies, but the body hasn’t been hit with the flu before and, therefore, doesn’t know how to react. The elderly population, the body and the immune system are tired and not putting up as much of a fight.
Pregnancy and postpartum
During pregnancy and two to four weeks postpartum, new parents are also in an immuno-compromised state and more likely to be hit hard if they contract the flu.
The body is in overdrive trying to create a human being, so it doesn’t put emphasis on your immune system at that time. That’s why pregnant people are very susceptible to sickness, particularly in the third trimester when your body is just exhausted from forming that little human. It doesn’t have the same energy. The same is true when you’re postpartum because the body is recovering from giving birth to that little human.
Complications from the flu
While those with a fully operating immune system are likely to bounce back from the flu relatively quickly, with fever and other symptoms peaking around the third day and steadily waning from there, vulnerable populations are at risk of developing serious complications due to the body’s inability to properly fight off the virus.
These may include:
- Sinus infection if the virus is in the upper respiratory system (nose, nasal passages)
- Bacterial pneumonia if the virus is in the chest and lungs
- Heart attack if the patient has an underlying cardiovascular condition
- Encephalopathy, or altered mental state, especially in those 65 and older
Seek immediate medical attention if you or a loved one experiences warning signs of serious flu complications, including:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent chest or abdominal pain or pressure
- Confusion, persistent dizziness or difficulty staying alert
- Little or no urine output, indicating possible severe dehydration
- Severe weakness or unsteadiness
- Seizures
- Fever or cough that worsens
People at increased risk of severe flu complications should contact their health care provider as soon as symptoms develop, even if their illness initially appears mild. Prescription antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), can help shorten the illness and reduce the risk of complications, particularly when treatment begins early.
For otherwise healthy individuals experiencing mild flu symptoms, supportive care at home may include:
- Using over-the-counter fever reducers or pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin), as directed by a health care provider or the product label
- Hydration through water, fruit (watermelon, apples, berries) or sugar-free fruit popsicles
- Humidifier, which moistens the air and breaks down thick mucus secretions
- Nasal saline spray
Prevention
Annual flu vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of influenza and its potentially serious complications. The flu virus is “opportunistic,” constantly mutating to avoid attack by the immune system. The flu vaccine is adapted each year to keep up with these mutations and better prepare the body to fight back.
The flu vaccine prepares the immune system to recognize and respond to influenza viruses in a safe way. It gives your body a cheat sheet, where it learns how the virus is built. It knows what antibodies to make to get your body ready for it. Then if the full virus does attack you, you already have soldiers ready to fight in the front lines versus somebody who didn’t get the vaccine.