This story originally appeared on CBS Denver.
It’s time to start thinking about the flu season. With COVID-19 cases once again on the rise, doctors worry that hospitals may be overwhelmed by cases of flu and coronavirus. That’s why they hope they can get you the flu against the flu this fall.
Dr. Scott Joy, chief medical officer of the HealthONE Physician Services Group, told CBSN Denver that the best time to get the flu shot is in mid to late October.
“There is five- to six-month coverage with the flu vaccine. You don’t want to take it too early because you may have a flu season in February and March. If you vaccinate it in September, it can decrease the flu. immunity. as it arrives in early spring “.
Many people may receive their COVID-19 boost in October. Dr. Joy says you can get the booster shot and the flu at the same time.
“There’s no scientific evidence to suggest that it’s not a good idea to put them both together. From a comfort standpoint, it makes a lot of sense to put them together so you’re covered for the rest of the season.”
The flu and coronavirus share many similarities symptoms including fever and chills, cough, fatigue, and sore throat. So how do you distinguish?
“I think what we’ve seen with COVID over the last year and a half is that the loss of taste and smell is very specific to the coronavirus. We don’t see it registered with the flu virus,” Dr. Joy pointed out.
“Recently, we have seen that some patients who have tested positive for COVID have more Gastrointestinal symptoms and some nausea, some vomiting and diarrhea, which are different from what we saw earlier in the pandemic. “
Last year’s flu activity was minimal thanks to more people receiving the vaccine, along with COVID-related precautions, such as the use of masks and social distancing.
Dr. Joy says he hopes these good behaviors will be maintained so that flu activity can stay low this season.
And if you need more reasons to get a flu vaccine, Dr. Joy says studies show that patients with the flu vaccine receive 25% less of other viruses throughout the season.
“So not only does it protect you from the flu virus, but it also looks like it can help reduce the risk of these annoying upper respiratory viruses that we usually have in the fall and winter,” he noted.