2018 Recap of This Year’s Dreadful Flu Season

If you’ve had it already – you know. If you haven’t had it – you may be freaking out a little. This year’s flu season has officially been the worst in decades. True enough, the news of fatalities is frightening. But for those who have been hit with a two-week (or three-week) infirmity, it really confirms the intensity and severity of this year’s flu season. For those who are wondering, there are two reasons for the appalling outcomes. Firstly, statistics show that fewer people received a flu shot this year. Secondly, and more important, the vaccine has had very low effectiveness rates.

Why is the 2018 flu season so much more alarming?

This year’s flu season may be feeling worse than usual because it hit everyone at once – at the office, at the gym, even at daycare. And many health clinics have noticed. It seems that traditional “peaks” are no more – this flu season it’s just one peak running through December and January.

The bad news is that most experts are saying that we're only halfway through. As usual, the worst hit are the very old and the very young. But for some reason, “baby boomers” are getting hit harder than usual. The reasons for this are unclear, but suffice to say it’s a combination of factors.

If you’re a “baby boomer” and haven’t had the flu shot yet, it may be advisable to be cautionary and get the shot. And while other anti-flu precautions are highly recommended, experts say that it’s not too late to get the vaccine. They reiterate their advice with “better late than never”.

As for naysayers, it's actually true that one can get the flu even with the vaccine. But the upside is that symptoms will be less severe. As well, when vaccinated, the likelihood of being a so-called carrier is decreased. This is particularly relevant so as not to contaminate an elderly person.

Here’s some helpful advice for preventing the flu

• Although diet, vitamins, and immune boosters are a great start, keeping clean and germ free is probably the most critical through flu season. Here, it’s critical to wash hands often; to avoid touching unclean surfaces; to stay away from the sick; and to take extra care with the weather.
• For those who are working in an office environment, the space should be cleaned and sanitized.
• Germs of all kinds can thrive and spread in an unclean office space. This is the time for extra focus on office cleaning (and especially in the more public places like the kitchen and washroom).
• Probably the worst thing about an office, or waiting room, or workplace, is that everyone is so “contained” – and that means that coughing and sneezing can compromise others in the space. We can think that others might take precautions when wheezing, but its best to stay clear.

Needless to say, it’s much better not to get sick!

Even with all the precautionary measures, this year’s flu bug may well hit home. And here, all of the experts agree that staying home for recovery is the best. It’s the best place to recoup, and the best place to stay away from others. It’s all about containing, without spreading, that nasty flu.