The Science Corner

What is it?

           The seasonal flu is usually caused by two influenza viruses, type A and type B.  Influenza type A can also be broken down into subtypes depending on the surface proteins of the viruses. This year’s flu epidemic can be attributed to a type A virus called H3N2.

How is it spread?

         The flu is contagious and most experts think that it is spread through droplets formed when people cough or sneezed. These droplets can then land in the mouths or noses of people who are up to 6 feet away and may even be inhaled. People may also get the flu from touching a surface that has the flu virus on it and then touching their mouths or nose (this happens less often though).

How can it be prevented?

           !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GET THE VACCINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear friends.  Vaccines are actual lifesavers. Many of us cannot receive vaccines but most of us have no medical reason not to get them. (If money is a reason you aren’t getting yours then obviously that’s a whole different problem and I don’t even want to start on my thoughts on the American healthcare system. If I’m not mistaken though, most county health departments will give out flu shots for free or low cost if you don’t have health insurance.) Look, I know this year the flu vaccine has a low rate of efficiency but they are still reducing your chance of catching a really nasty flu virus that’s putting thousands of people in the hospital and even if you do catch it it’s likely that your symptoms won’t be as severe as those who haven’t received the vaccine.

To prevent getting the flu you also should make sure to wash your hands with SOAP AND WARM WATER. Hand sanitizer will do in a pinch (there are a lot of reasons why I hate hand sanitizer and why I don’t think you should use it unless it’s absolutely necessary but that is a whole other post).

IF YOU start presenting flu-like symptoms (definitely go to the doctor as soon as possible this H3N2 strain is gnarly and the sooner you get in the sooner they can help you get better) or you know you have the flu --STAY THE FRICKITY-FRACK HOME—there is no need to be out and about with a highly contagious disease. No one wants you spreading your flu droplets everywhere, Karen. Also if your kids or some you live with has the flu you probably have it, it’s really god damn contagious and can spread up to 1 day before you start presenting symptoms and up to 7 days after getting sick (in kids it can be even longer than 7 days).

Links for more information because it’s 3am now and I wrote this mostly because I couldn’t sleep and partly because I saw an ignorant facebook comment about flu vaccines:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html