Flu Season News
You’ve seen and heard it all over the news: This year’s flu season is one of the worst we’ve had in the last 10 years.[1]
Here is a brief overview of some of the most important news and statistics being reported and what you and your family can do to prevent the flu:
The Center for Disease Control states that “about 7.7 percent of all Americans seeking medical care now have flu symptoms.”[2] To put this in perspective, that is the same rate of infection reported during the peak of 2009’s “swine flu pandemic.” Furthermore, the rate of hospitalization and deaths from the flu are much higher than in previous years as well. “10.1 percent of all deaths being recorded now are from flu or pneumonia” and over 60 children have died.[3] The outbreak is widespread throughout the country, and some hospitals have reportedly sent people away. While this news is concerning, the CDC reports that this information and high rates of infection do not actually “mean that we are having a pandemic;” and this statistic is just a comparison to swine flu to demonstrate that this flu season reflects very high rates of infection.[4]
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
Although the flu shot is not as effective at preventing H3N2 viruses (the most commonly reported virus this season), the CDC still recommends getting a flu shot.[5] This is because the flu shot is still effective at preventing other types of flu viruses (which are on the rise) and even if the shot does not prevent someone from getting the flu, it may make their symptoms less severe. Additionally, the CDC recommends the usual, “common sense” approach to flu prevention: avoiding sick people, washing hands, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Individuals with flu-like symptoms should stay at home for 24 hours after a fever is gone to prevent spreading the illness.
Stay tuned for more updates from The Greenwood Law Firm on this season’s flu news as well as other information about vaccines and vaccine injuries.
[4] https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/t0209-flu-update-activity.html