Nine-month-old Laura Hope Derrick plays with her new book after receiving her first dose of the flu shot at HopeHealth Pediatrics in Florence. She will return after 30 days for her second dose. Children age 6 months to 8 years getting vaccinated for the first time and those who have only previously gotten one dose of vaccine should get two doses of vaccine this season spaced at least four weeks apart. Your childs health care provider can tell you if your child needs two doses.

After more than seven months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are approaching winter and flu season. The influenza virus (flu) and its potential confounding effects are forefront in the minds of health care professionals.

How can you prepare for both the flu season and COVID-19? Experts are in debate, but a few points can be gained by looking at each virus and their past effects.

COVID-19

As of Oct. 1, there have been approximately 147,000 cases, 9,000 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths in South Carolina alone. Transmission primarily occurs person-to-person via respiratory spread with shedding of infectious material 48 hours prior to any symptoms and 10 or more days after symptom onset.

The highest shedding of infectious material occurs during that period prior to any symptoms. Once exposed, it can take up to 14 days for any symptoms to occur. Symptoms, initially stated as cough, fever and shortness of breath, have been expanded to include fatigue, headache, nasal congestion, muscle aches, sore throat, new loss of smell or taste, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Influenza

The 2019-2020 flu season, as of April 25, had 6,639 cases, 2,954 hospitalizations and 126 deaths in South Carolina. Transmission primary occurs person-to-person via respiratory spread. Shedding of infectious material can occur 48 hours prior to any symptoms and seven or more days after symptom onset. The highest shedding of infectious material occurs during symptoms and, once exposed, it can take up to four days for symptoms to occur. Symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, headache, nasal congestion, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

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Navigating the 2020 flu season - SCNow