Flu Season Precautions: Expert Advice on Vaccination and Prevention

As the holiday season approaches, so does the unwelcome arrival of flu season. According to physician Matthew Heller, D.O., an associate professor of family medicine at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, the flu is a viral respiratory illness that typically spreads in fall and winter, with February historically being the peak month for flu activity, as per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. To reduce the risk of contracting the flu, Heller strongly recommends getting a flu shot annually for everyone over six months old, emphasizing that the vaccine develops antibodies that protect against the virus, and even if a vaccinated person gets the flu, symptoms are less severe, and it reduces hospitalizations and deaths. Crucially, the vaccine cannot cause the flu itself.

Heller advises being proactive, as it takes about two weeks for the body to build full protection after vaccination. Flu symptoms include fever, chills, body aches, cough, headache, and fatigue, typically appearing a few days after exposure and lasting about a week. While most people recover at home with rest and fluids, high-risk groups—adults 65 and older, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions—should contact a physician. In addition to vaccination, Heller suggests frequent hand washing, using hand sanitizer, sanitizing high-traffic surfaces, avoiding face touching and large crowds, and sneezing into a tissue or elbow. He stresses that getting vaccinated protects not only yourself but also those around you, setting an example for others to follow. Heller is one of many New York Tech faculty lending expertise to tackle real-world challenges; visit nyit.edu to learn more.