Severe Flu Cases Demand Advanced Prevention Strategies

With flu cases hitting a season high in late December, staying healthy within the coming weeks could become more difficult. Annually, flu season starts in October and can last until May. This year, positive tests for influenza H3N2, or influenza A, peaked during the last week of December, and a second peak during the winter months is still possible. This January, Pitt students are juggling the beginning of their spring semester in the midst of the season of the “super flu.” This year’s flu curve isn’t necessarily abnormal. Flu numbers are slightly higher this year, but, according to Graham Snyder, an associate professor of medicine and medical director at UPMC, that is not necessarily the reason this flu season seems so difficult. Snyder said during the COVID-19 pandemic, positive flu cases decreased significantly and normal flu numbers have started to come back in the last one to two years. “We’ve moved back to what the usual pattern is,” Snyder said. “So maybe flu feels extra tough to us because we had a couple of years where [the] flu was not tough to us.” Sohan Bhattacharyya, a junior finance student, got sick over winter break and still has a lingering cough as classes have begun. “I’ve been trying to take precautions since [I’ve been back],” Bhattacharyya said. “I’ve been trying to eat the right food and use natural remedies just to make sure that it doesn’t get any worse.” Margo Nitekman, a senior marketing student, said she got sick the first day of class with a sore throat and was “bedridden.” Nitekman said while she wants to feel better, she is trying to persevere by going to the first week of classes. “I’m trying to push through because I can’t really wait around and do nothing,” Nitekman said. “But I am trying to rest and not go to the gym and just prioritize health right now.” For many college students, a key path towards recovery if they do end up getting sick is getting more sleep. Snyder said sleep is crucial for getting and staying healthy. “For students, an important thing that your immune system needs to be robust is sleep,” Snyder said. Snyder said another potential aspect of high flu numbers is a new strain of the H3N2 type flu virus, the subclade K strain, which was not included in this year’s flu vaccine because it appeared unexpectedly in Europe in June. “There are some hypotheses that because our immune system has not seen this subclade K, that it may mean more of us are vulnerable and are likely to get infected if we’re exposed,” Snyder said. “It may either spread faster, or it may cause a worse season because more people are infected.” Snyder said the first step towards not getting sick is not being exposed to the virus, which travels through aerosol droplets when people who are sick cough or sneeze. “When you’re out, masking is effective for influenza and protecting you from being exposed,” Snyder said. “It also helps not to touch your face and hand hygiene helps to reduce the risk that you pick up the virus.” Contagiousness for the flu typically decreases a day after the fever has resolved. Snyder said that if you still have some symptoms after the fever, masking is a good way to keep the people around you safe. “As soon as you have no fever on your own and as long as your respiratory symptoms are feeling better, you’re not likely to be contagious,” Snyder said. “Masking is a nice thing to do to make sure the risk is as low as possible to those around you.” Another aspect of prevention is the influenza vaccine, which will help if someone does end up exposed to the virus. Snyder said while there is variability in how effective the vaccine is, it will “still offer some protection” against the current subclade K strain—even if it was not necessarily made to. “[The vaccine] is not perfect at preventing you from getting sick. It never is. But it never [fully] fails,” Snyder said. “It always offers protection, whether that be 60, 50 or 40% — those are good odds that prevent you from getting sick.” Pitt Student Health Services is a resource for students to help them stay healthy at school. Charles Guthrie, executive director of Student Health Services, emphasized the importance of being vaccinated. “Staying up to date on recommended vaccines, including flu and COVID-19 vaccines, is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious illness,” Guthrie said. Guthrie said students can find many vital services through Pitt’s Student Health Services, even beyond the flu, to stay healthy during the spring semester. “Student Health offers multiple resources including health practitioners, health screenings, vaccines and a University Pharmacy,” Guthrie said. “Additionally, the University Vaccine Hub provides the University nonstudent community with access to vaccines and health screenings.” Guthrie said students who experience symptoms of illness should follow four important steps. “Isolate, rest and hydrate, monitor symptoms [and] seek medical attention,” Guthrie said. Snyder said the most important part of flu season is actively keeping yourself and the people around you safe. “Maybe someone is vulnerable to complications or has somebody in their house that is vulnerable,” Snyder said. “It’s helpful to put in extra effort because we all want to be safe and healthy.”