As the nation enters flu season, state and local health officials are urging residents to take precautions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says flu activity begins to pick up in October and tends to peak between December and February, although flu activity can last through May.
However, Ronald Balajadia, immunization branch chief for the state Department of Health, said “here in Hawaii, flu is year-round.”
That’s in part because people either visit the islands from different parts of the world or residents travel from the state and may acquire the influenza virus elsewhere.
Because of travel to and from the islands, Balajadia said it is difficult to predict what may happen in regards to the flu.
The DOH, he said, “can’t really anticipate what is going to be coming in and circulating within our state.”
However, Balajadia said Hawaii tends follow about a month behind what is happening in the continental United States, so if there’s flu activity on the mainland, “Hawaii may see a lag of around a month or so.”
Locally, Hilo Medical Center sees flu cases year round, but there are typically certain times there is an increase, Infection Prevention Director Chad Shibuya said earlier this week.
“Part of my job is to monitor what goes on not only in the hospital, but also in the community,” because what happens in the community impacts Hilo Medical Center, he said. And beginning in August and September, Shibuya said he tries to “keep my eyes and ears open a little bit more.”
According to Shibuya, HMC saw one flu case in August, nine in September and about 11 so far the first three weeks of October.
“I think people tend to downplay the seriousness of flu season,” Shibuya said. “I think sometimes people think the flu isn’t a serious illness.”
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the throat, nose and sometimes lungs.
According to the CDC, it can cause mild to severe illnesses and can even lead to death.
The flu usually comes on suddenly and those who have the flu may see symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting, the CDC states. The flu can also lead to complications like bacterial pneumonia, ear and sinus infections and worsening chronic medical conditions like heart failure, asthma or diabetes.
When discussing preventative measures, both Shibuya and Balajadia encouraged flu vaccinations.
“The whole thing about influenza is to be prepared,” Balajadia said.
He encouraged people to “get vaccinated and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
According to Balajadia this year’s flu vaccine protects against two A strains of the virus and two B strains.
“If you don’t contract the flu virus, that means you’re not able to give or spread (the flu) on to other individuals,” he said.
If everyone does their part in getting vaccinated, it helps minimize the spread of disease, Balajadia said, especially for those in the community who are most vulnerable, including elderly who may not have strong immune systems, the very young who are unable to take the vaccine, or individuals who may be immunocompromised.
Shibuya said it takes two weeks for a flu shot to be effective, so while it’s never too late to get one, they “don’t want people waiting until we’re in the middle of flu season to get a flu shot. So now is a good time.”
To further prevent the spread of flu, Balajadia also said people should cover coughs and sneezes; always wash their hands; avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth; and stay home if they’re sick to avoid spreading the virus.
“If people are able to keep those five things (in mind) at least, then they have a pretty good chance of fighting the flu,” he said.
The DOH’s annual Stop Flu at School program began earlier this month and continues through Dec. 7.
The voluntary program administers free flu shots to students in kindergarten through eighth grade enrolled at participating schools.
For more information about that program and a list of participating schools, visit health.hawaii.gov/docd/about-us/programs/stop-flu-at-school/.
For more information about the flu, visit health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/influenza-flu/.
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.