Do you notice that every year, a large number of people simultaneously get sick? It’s because there’s a period when flu is prevalent. In the Philippines, the highest number of cases is between June to November, with August as its peak. Over 480,000 individuals contract influenza in the Philippines every year. “Filipinos can still get the flu even when it isn’t the usual season. So the best time to get the vaccine is always today,” reminds GSK Philippines’ Medical Affairs manager for Vaccines, Dr. Edwin Rodriguez.

On Oct. 5, 2023, the Department of Health (DoH) confirmed that influenza cases are on the rise due to the abrupt weather changes, and it is expected. According to them, “communicable diseases, particularly respiratory infections such as influenza, are expected to increase during the rainy season and colder months due to proliferation of viruses as the weather transitions from increased heat and high humidity in the summer to wet and damp weather conditions.”

Annual vaccination is recommended for everyone six months and older because the protection from flu vaccine wanes over time and does not vary from season to season. But the flu strains contained in the vaccine may change from one season to the next. It’s important to note that we need to take the flu seriously because even though it shares symptoms with the common cold, they are caused by different viruses.

Flu is exclusively caused by influenza viruses while the cold is caused by different viruses, such as rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, and seasonal coronaviruses. The flu is worse, has more intense symptoms, and appears more abruptly. Some symptoms that are more common to the flu are fever, general aches and pains, fatigue, cough, and sore throat. Flu can also lead to more serious complications, even death.

If patients aren’t part of a high-risk group, it’s advisable to get symptomatic treatment such as relieving fever or colds. It’s also a must to stay at home to avoid infecting others in the community. Meanwhile, patients who are in a group at high risk of developing severe or complicated illnesses should be immediately treated with antiviral drugs. Besides protection, families, and even employers and communities can reap the benefits of regular vaccinations. Individuals who are vaccinated reduce their risk of going to the doctor by up to 60 percent.

The flu affects everyone, including young and healthy people. Children however under the age of five are most at risk.

Not only does this protect the babies and children getting vaccinated, but the people around them that may be more vulnerable to flu and related complications. These include the elderly, and those with chronic health conditions.

Vaccines trigger the response of the immune system. As such, you may experience some adverse reactions after receiving your dose. Adverse reactions of the flu vaccine are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days.

Adverse reactions from the flu shot include:

• Soreness, redness, and/or swelling on the injection site
• Headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Muscle aches
• The flu shot, like other injections, can occasionally cause fainting

All of these reactions are normal so there is no need to fear a flu shot. The benefits one will get from a flu vaccine greatly outweighs these temporary reactions. Dr. Edwin says, “I recommend that people schedule an appointment with their healthcare provider as soon as possible. We need to work together and take preventive measures to be unstoppable.”