'Tis the flu season

COEUR d'ALENE — The Panhandle Health District is urging people to get flu vaccines.

"As with all preventative care, it’s still important for you and your loved ones to receive this year’s flu vaccine," said a PHD press release on Wednesday.

In Idaho, there were 39 influenza-related deaths in the 2019-2020 season. Of those, nine occurred in this area.

This fall and winter, PHD officials expect that both the flu virus and COVID-19 will be circulating. They said it is possible to have the flu and COVID-19, or other respiratory illnesses, at the same time.

"We expect those occurrences to be rare, but could still happen. Many symptoms of the flu are similar to COVID-19, so it may be hard to tell what you have become ill with," the release said. "Seeking testing in these circumstances will help determine how you should move forward with self-isolating and managing your symptoms."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are key differences between the flu and COVID-19.

"COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people," the CDC said. "It can also take longer before people show symptoms and people can be contagious for longer."

Flu viruses can cause mild to severe illness, including common signs and symptoms like a cough, sore throat and fever.

COVID-19 seems to cause more serious illnesses in some people. Other signs and symptoms of COVID-19, different from flu, may include change in or loss of taste or smell, CDC reported.

Each year, the flu vaccine is updated to match the circulating flu viruses, PHD reported. Typically flu vaccines protect against the three or four viruses that research suggests will be most common for that flu season.

"We recommend that individuals consult with their healthcare provider to find out what flu vaccine is best for them," PHD said in the release.

The fatality rate for COVID-19 is higher than with seasonal flu. "Some people who have had COVID-19 struggle with continued health issues. COVID-19 reinfection may also be possible," the release said.

In the United States, more than 225,000 people have died from COVID-19, which is more than the last five flu seasons combined.

CDC estimated that during the 2019-2020 influenza season, influenza was associated with 38 million illnesses, 18 million medical visits, 405,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths.

"A flu vaccine this season can also help our healthcare system by reducing the burden COVID-19 and the flu could have on our local hospitals," the PHD release said. "A flu vaccine is the best defense against the flu."

Anyone younger than 6 months of age is not recommended to get a flu vaccine. Also, those who are currently ill with COVID-19 are not recommended to receive the flu vaccine. After they have met the criteria to discontinue isolation, they can receive a flu vaccine.