01/08/2026
I want to share this because it’s close to home. Someone very dear to me is currently battling both Flu A and Flu B, along with pneumonia. She did receive the flu vaccine in October. This season is hitting harder than many people expect.
The flu shot is still important. It can reduce severity and complications, but it does not make you invincible. We are seeing people get very sick, very fast.
What you should do right now to protect yourself and your family:
Wash your hands often and thoroughly.
Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Stay home if you feel unwell, even if symptoms seem mild at first.
Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces if you can.
Clean high-touch surfaces regularly.
If you develop fever, body aches, cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain, seek medical care early. Do not wait it out.
Pneumonia can develop quickly after the flu, even in vaccinated individuals. Early treatment matters.
Please take this season seriously. Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. And if you’re sick, rest and stay home so others don’t end up fighting what someone close to me is fighting right now.
Dr. Tamiko