Along with falling leaves, cozy sweaters, hot drinks and hot air balloons, respiratory virus season has arrived in New Mexico and it’s likely flu season will shortly follow.
“Now’s the time to get the flu vaccine to protect you for the entire flu season,” said Meghan Brett, MD, an infectious-disease physician and the hospital epidemiologist at The University of New Mexico Hospital.
Brett recommends the flu vaccine for everyone six months old and over, and especially for anyone with underlying health conditions, due to the risk of flu complications.
One flu shot will protect you from early October through the end of flu season in March or April of next year, Brett said. That includes potentially shortening the duration of flu symptoms, plus reducing the risk of hospitalization by 30-40%, she said.
New Mexicans can visit a healthcare provider or local pharmacy (no prescription required) to get the flu vaccine. Alternatively, the New Mexico Department of Health provides an online map of locations where people can get vaccinated.
Flu Vaccine Resources from the New Mexico Department of Health
“It could keep you healthier. It could keep you out of the hospital. It could keep you out of clinics,” Brett said. “So, those would be all the reasons I’d strongly recommend getting the flu vaccine.”
She noted that flu can be deadly for some people.
“People can die from the flu,” she said. “That happens every year.”
Even if you wait until later in flu season, Brett still advises getting vaccinated, because different strains of flu circulate at the same time and can cause illness independent of one another. It’s also beneficial to get vaccinated if you’ve already had the flu, because a different strain might make you sick again, she said.
There are three types of flu vaccines available: a regular shot, a nasal spray and a high-dose shot for older adults, who may need extra protection. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to find out which version is best for you.
Flu Symptoms and Other Respiratory Illnesses to Watch For
Brett suggests that anyone who is sick, with symptoms such as fever, cough or runny nose, get tested for flu so they can get appropriate treatment. This is especially true for anyone with underlying health conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease and liver disease, she said. These higher-risk patients may need prompt treatment for flu to avoid complications and hospitalization.
Testing can differentiate between flu and COVID-19, which are difficult to tell apart — and each virus is treated differently, Brett said.
It’s also a good idea to get vaccinated against COVID-19, she said, which typically starts circulating in late summer and early fall. Getting flu and COVID shots at the same time won’t reduce their effectiveness, she said.
And, for people with underlying health conditions, people who are pregnant, and adults 50 and older, Brett recommends getting the vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), another common respiratory virus. This vaccination is even more important for anyone 75 and older, she said.
Click here to read previous coverage of flu, which includes slideshows with information about where adults can go when they are sick and where adults can take their children when they get sick.
