December 7-13 is National Flu Vaccination Week

If you have not already gotten your flu shot, National Flu Vaccination Week is the time to do so.

This year we are beginning to see a different  flu strain than we have over the past few years, and it is an especially virulent one. Called the H3N2 strain, or Influenza A H3N2, it is a strain of the flu that we have not seen for a few years. One of our Medical Directors,  Dr. Thomas Brown, was interviewed by the Stamford Advocate last week about whether this changes the protocol for protecting against and treating the flu. This is how he responded:

“Someone who gets this year’s flu shot might come down with the flu, but, hopefully, it will be a less severe flu”

The CDC has this to say about flu prevention and treatment for this strain of flu :

“Early data suggests that the current 2014-2015 flu season could be severe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges immediate vaccination for anyone still unvaccinated this season and recommends prompt treatment with antiviral drugs for people at high risk of complications who develop flu.

So far this year, seasonal influenza A H3N2 viruses have been most common. There often are more severe flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths during seasons when these viruses predominate.” 

Therefore, here at AFC Urgent Care Stamford,  we urge you and your loved ones to get your flu shot, if you have not already done so. There is a much smaller chance of contracting the flu if you have been vaccinated.  Along the same lines, If you have flu like symptoms, and think you may have the flu, watch this AFC Urgent Care Medical Minute on signs and symptoms of the flu , come in and get diagnosed and we can treat you with an anti-viral medication.