by Dr. Bill Blank, MD
Senior Aviation Medical Examiner
We are at the beginning of the flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines the season as running from the first week in October through the third week in May. As winter approaches, the days become shorter and there is an increase in indoor gatherings. The colder temperatures and lower humidity facilitate the survival and transmission of respiratory droplets containing respiratory viruses. When the CDC refers to the flu season, they are only referring to influenza. It is only one of several viral caused respiratory diseases which increase in frequency during the flu season.
Other viral caused respiratory diseases include Covid-19, RSV, Adenovirus, Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. Also of concern during the flu season is Pneumococcal Pneumonia, a non-viral disease for which a vaccine and treatment is available.
The symptoms of these viral diseases are similar: cough, fever, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, headaches, body aches, and fatigue. Not all of these symptoms are present in all of these diseases. Viral testing is the only way to definitely identify which virus is involved. Nasal swabs are frequently used. Home tests are available. Results indicate the causative virus and the risk to others. Viral tests are most likely to be positive during the first 72 hours of the illness.
Treatment is based upon the severity of the illness and the health status of the patient. Older people and children are more vulnerable. Old people have diminished immune responses. This is worse in people with underlying diseases such as cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. What would normally be a mild disease, can be deadly to persons at increased risk. Antiviral agents such as Paxlovid, Tamiflu, and Relenza are available to treat some of these diseases. They are more effective when started early in the course of the disease.
What can you do to decrease your risk of infection? Be aware of your surroundings. Do you want to be in a crowded sports bar, shoulder to shoulder with a lot of people? This might be the time to think about wearing a mask or going elsewhere.
To prevent or decrease the severity of viral respiratory diseases, “vaccines” are available.
Viruses are mutating or changing continuously to work around human defense mechanisms. To combat this, the CDC gathers data and input from virologists to update vaccines annually. This is sort of an educated guess. It is a little bit like forecasting the weather. They do better some years than others. I am up to date on my vaccinations, and feel they are safe and are much more likely to be helpful than harmful.
I hope you will have a flu-free winter season!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Columnist William A. Blank is a physician in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and has been an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) since 1978, and a Senior AME since 1985. Dr. Blank is a retired Ophthalmologist, but still gives some of the ophthalmology lectures at AME renewal seminars. Flying-wise, Dr. Blank holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate and has 6000 hours. He is a Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII) and has given over 1200 hours of aerobatic instruction. In addition, Dr. Blank was an airshow performer through the 2014 season and has held a Statement of Aerobatic Competency (SAC) since 1987. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame in 2021.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this column is the expressed opinion of the author only, and readers are advised to seek the advice of others, including their own AME, and refer to the Federal Aviation Regulations and FAA Aeronautical Information Manual for additional information and clarification.
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