What older adults need to know about the upcoming flu season

Each year, the arrival of flu season poses a threat to older adults, who tend to be more vulnerable to influenza. That’s why seniors are encouraged to get an annual flu shot.

“By getting the flu shot, you’re not only protecting yourself, you’re protecting your family and vulnerable members of the community who would suffer a more serious illness,” said Dr. Jonathan Grein, director of Hospital Epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and an associate professor in the Department of Medicine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza claimed as many as 130,000 lives in the United States last year, underscoring the importance of vaccination.

Who should get the shot?

The recommendations remain consistent this year:

• Everyone aged 6 months and older should receive the flu vaccine.
• Adults 65 and older are encouraged to get a high-dose flu shot, which offers a stronger immune response.
• Children 6 months to 8 years old who have never received a flu shot should get two doses, spaced four weeks apart, noted Priya Soni, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s. She advises parents to vaccinate their children before the end of October to ensure protection before peak flu season.

Managing flu symptoms

Common flu symptoms include congestion, fever, body aches, sore throat and fatigue. For mild cases, rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen can be effective, Grein explained.

However, individuals at higher risk – including older adults, those with compromised immune systems, and people with chronic health conditions – should contact their healthcare provider quickly to see if antiviral medications like Tamiflu might be beneficial.

Patients experiencing severe symptoms such as high fever, difficulty keeping fluids down, or trouble breathing should seek urgent or emergency care, according to Jonathan Weiner, chair of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Group’s Department of Primary Care and Acute Care Medicine.

For mild cases, virtual care with an app may suffice. Physicians can assess symptoms, recommend treatment, and, if necessary, order flu tests or prescribe antivirals like Tamiflu. These virtual visits are integrated with many practices’ electronic medical records, ensuring continuity of care.

Weiner stressed the importance of early testing, whether at an urgent care center or through an over-the-counter test. “It’s good to know if you have the flu so you can avoid spreading the illness to others,” he said, noting that people are often contagious from the day before symptoms appear until a week after they begin.