Protect Yourself from Influenza: Key Information for Flu Season

Viruses that cause influenza, also known as the flu, are contagious respiratory infections. When an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or speaks, the disease mainly spreads by droplets. The flu can also spread by touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after contacting a contaminated surface, though this is less likely. Even without a definitive laboratory diagnosis, fever, coughing, and sore throat are typical signs of influenza-like illness (ILI).

Understanding Flu Season : When is Flu season in Florida ?

Flu season follows a yearly cycle based on reporting weeks set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The previous flu season was expected to end on May 18, 2024 (week 20), but flu surveillance continued throughout the year. Each flu season can vary in timing, severity, and duration, making it difficult to predict what this year’s flu season will look like, especially here in Florida.

Flu Activity in Florida Counties

Flu activity varies across Florida counties:
Increasing activity: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Polk, etc.
Decreasing activity: Alachua, Bay, Escambia, Gilchrist, Highlands, and more.
No change in activity: Citrus, Gadsden, Hernando, Orange, Pinellas, Sarasota, and others.

It’s essential to stay updated on your local flu trends and take preventative steps if flu activity is increasing in your area.

Importance of Flu Surveillance

Health officials rely on flu surveillance to track changes in flu viruses and understand how to formulate the annual flu vaccination. In addition, surveillance helps identify the beginning, middle, and end of flu season by tracking outbreaks and identifying severe flu cases. This is particularly critical for high-risk populations, such as youngsters, older people (65 and over), and expectant mothers.

In Florida, individual flu cases don’t need to be reported unless they involve novel flu A strains or flu-associated pediatric deaths. However, all flu outbreaks must be reported to the Florida Department of Health.

Protect Yourself with an Annual Flu Shot

Getting vaccinated against influenza is the best defense against the virus. Vaccination is essential for people who are more likely to experience serious consequences. Vaccination early in the season is advisable because flu injections take about two weeks to become fully effective.

Antiviral Treatment

If you or someone you know is at higher risk for flu complications—such as young children under 2, adults aged 65 and older, pregnant women, or individuals with underlying health conditions—the CDC advises starting antiviral treatment as soon as flu symptoms begin. For the best results, treatment should start within 48 hours of the first signs of illness. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider to discuss antiviral treatment options.

At ClearMedica, we are committed to helping you stay informed and healthy during flu season. Be proactive—get vaccinated, stay safe, and protect your loved ones from the flu.