(WGNO) – We know that the flu is very dangerous. It can even be fatal. But there is something wrong with the flu shot this year.
Dr. Rachel Reitan said the flu vaccine this year is not as effective in preventing against one flu strain, influenza A (H3N2). “That’s because the virus has changed. It has become very bad,” she explained.
The people most at risk remain the same — people over 65 and under 2 years of age, people with chronic medical disorders, especially of the lung, pregnant and nursing woman, people who are morbidly obese, and people who reside in an institution such as a nursing home.
Now if you received the flu shot, that’s still good. Dr. Reitan said,”it protects you against those other strains, just not so much the influenza A.”
But if you have gotten the flu shot and you begin to develop signs and symptoms of influenza, contact your doctor immediately, she warned.
“I can not stress that even more than immediately. The sooner you get started on the antiviral medicine, the less likely you are to have complications and also possibly die,” Reitan said.
The signs and symptoms you want to be looking out for are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Body aches
Despite the flaw in the flu shot, Reitan advises you to still get it.
If viewers have questions reach out to Dr. Rachel Reitan at drrachel@digital-release.wgno.com.