Warm Weather Approaching Means The Flu's Days Are Numbered

Have you ever wondered why the flu season is a winter illness? Just bad luck? A matter of all of us clustered inside because of the freezing cold temperatures so we spread the illness quicker? Well, let's face it, that certainly doesn't help the situation! To be honest, as a physician, having a good explanation to give to sick kids and parents about the seasonal pattern of the flu season has been a bit of a mystery to me, until today.

A new study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)was reported yesterday that just provide the explanation we've all be hunting for. As reported by Reuters on MSNBC, researchers have discovered that the Influenza virus has a fatty coating that they likened to the coating of an M&M candy. Apparently, that coating has one weakness: warmth. So, it melts away in warmth - like entering the human body. In those conditions, the part of the Influenza virus that makes us sick is released and, well, you know the rest.

In spring and summer, however, when the virus is just floating around and not in a human causing trouble, that coating still melts and the virus dies because it can only multiply, or replicate in virology terms, if it is able to get inside a human cell and literally take over part of the cell's genetic code.

This discovery may help researchers find new ways to help combat the spread of the flu but using that fatty coating against the virus itself. Time will tell, but clearly we need more than vaccination as this current flu season has proven.

By the way, the new recommendation for children is for all kids 6months to 18 years to get a flu shot annually. Right now we are targeting only high risk kids and those under 5. But, this year's flu season caused experts to reevaluate the entire flu spread situation. Even an imperfect flu vaccine has benefit in spreading the virus to those whose immune systems are weak and in preventing some complications. In this regard, the recommendation makes sense to me. The problem, of course, will be one of supply.

Before you worry about giving your child another shot, FluMist production, the influenza vaccine given by nasal spray, has already been increased for next year and has been found to be as effective in kids as the flu shot.

Many families don't even consider immunizing anyone in their house. I'm the only one in my home that gets an annual flu shot because I'm in health care. But, this year's flu season should cause us all to pause and reconsider what we all do for annual flu shots. And, clearly for kids we need to strongly consider getting all our kids older than 6 months immunized against the flu, assuming they are not allergic to eggs. I'll be getting my kids immunized and urging my husband to do the same.

Image: Influenza Virus