Living with a chronic disease has its daily challenges and can certainly take a toll on one’s physical and mental wellbeing.
In the Mountain State, West Virginians most commonly suffer from asthma, heart disease, COPD, diabetes, extreme obesity and cancer. With that said, in 2015, 1.2 million people in West Virginia had at least 1 chronic disease and 527,000 had 2 or more chronic diseases — That’s a staggering number of people who struggle daily with a disease and run the risk of further health complications!
Below are three things you need to know this flu season if you or a loved one suffer from a chronic disease.
1. The flu can be tough to fight with chronic disease.
Living with a chronic illness, like diabetes, heart disease or lung cancer, makes it incredibly difficult for the immune system to fight the flu. When your body is already trying to assist with your current illness, adding infection from flu to the mix can make it difficult to tackle both at the same time.
2. The flu can lead to serious health complications.
If your body is struggling to fight the flu, serious health problems can arise. Those living with a chronic disease must be extra careful during flu season, since flu can cause chronic disease symptoms to worsen or cause new health complications.
People with the flu and a chronic illness are at an increased chance of stroke, heart attack, pneumonia and physical decline. These grave complications can land someone with a chronic illness in the hospital or can lead to death.
3. Flu vaccination is critical this year.
Many chronic diseases can also put people at higher risk for severe COVID-19. West Virginia’s high rates of chronic disease has put our state at highest risk in the nation for COVID-19, as well. The CDC and health officials across the nation are stressing the importance of the flu vaccination for everyone over the age of six months. With the upcoming flu season, paired with the COVID-19 pandemic, those with a chronic disease need to be more careful than ever.
By getting vaccinated against the flu, individuals have a higher chance of preventing the flu and lessening the severity of the illness. Flu vaccinations can also prevent flu-related hospitalizations, especially for those living with a chronic disease.
If you have a chronic disease, you’re probably taking steps every day to manage your disease, such as eating healthy or taking medications as prescribed by your doctor. Flu vaccination is one more step you can take keep yourself healthy. The West Virginia Immunization Network is spreading the word this year that getting a flu vaccination is just one more thing you can do to keep yourself and others safe.
The website EveryOneAddsUp.com features a capability to search for locations where the vaccine is available, along with educational blogs, and more to keep West Virginians informed this flu season.
Talk to your healthcare provider about which flu vaccines are right for you and your family members.
