A Change of Seasons in Healthcare

By Nikki Walls, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

As the season is changing from summer to fall, we will also see a change in seasons in healthcare. The influenza season is right around the corner and is one of the most common sicknesses that can affect people of all ages. Influenza or more commonly known as the “flu” is a contagious illness where a virus infects the nose, throat, and lungs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that during the 2022-2023 flu season there were more than twenty-six million flu illnesses, >12 million flu medical visits, >290,000 hospitalizations and >18,000 deaths that occurred in the U.S.
According to the CDC, there are two main types of influenza virus: Type A and B that are routinely spread in people that are responsible for the season flu epidemics each year. While seasonal flu viruses are detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses typically circulate during the fall and winter months. The exact timing and duration of the flu season varies but often begins to increase in October and peaks between December and February.
Influenza and the common cold are often confused as they are both contagious respiratory illness but they are caused by different viruses. Cold symptoms are usually milder and include sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and cough. Influenza symptoms are usually more severe and can include dry cough, fever or feeling feverish, chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue (tiredness), and some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. Influenza symptoms tend to have an abrupt onset where as cold symptoms tend to gradually appear. Being aware of how the flu spreads is also an important aspect of the illness. According to the CDC, experts believe that the virus is thought to spread mainly by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk up to 6 feet away. The flu virus can be detected beginning on the day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick and people are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins.
Most individuals who get the flu will recover within a few days to less than 2 weeks, however some can develop complications that can be life-threatening. Anyone can become sickened with the flu, even those that are healthy. Serious complications related to the flu can also affect anyone at any age. There are some groups of people that are at a higher than average risk of having flu-related complications including people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, pregnant people and young children, especially those 2 years and younger.
The best way to reduce the risk of the seasonal flu and its potentially serious life-threatening complications is to get vaccinated each year. The CDC recommends everyone older than 6 months of age should be vaccinated. The ideal time to get vaccinated is by the end of October. This ensures that you have developed sufficient antibodies to help prevent contracting the virus as well as reduce the risk of serious complications. There are also good health habits that everyone can adopt to help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses including avoiding people who are sick, covering your cough, washing your hands, get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet.

We encourage everyone to attend the community influenza vaccine clinics at both Clearwater Valley Health and St. Mary’s Health:

Drive-Thru Flu clinics
Orofino – this Saturday, Sept. 30 th , 8 – 11am at the Orofino Junior Senior High School Lower
Parking Lot
Cottonwood Clinic – October 11th 3-6pm
Kamiah Clinic – October 12th 3-6pm

Walk in Flu Clinics
Craigmont Clinic – October 5th 3-5pm
Nezperce Clinic – October 10th 3-5pm
Grangeville Clinic – October 11th 3-5pm