Flu Season

Every year around this time the Flu season is at its peak. The activity chart of the flu already shows higher than the normal flu cases and the numbers are increasing every day. In the United States itself, it is believed that the flu activity is at all times high. As per the latest reports which are available state wise, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention three states have reported high levels of flu cases. Other states have either reported moderate or fewer cases of flu. When compared it was found that around the same time last year none of the states was reporting any high cases of flu activity.

Another report shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that more than 2 percent people visited the doctor with symptoms of flu-like illness. This percentage is slightly above the baseline for flu visits. As per the reports, the threshold in the offseason is around 2.2 percent. Around this time, last year the percentage of people visiting the doctor with flu-like symptoms was a little less than 2 percent.

The reports have also shown the trend that the influenza activity has been on the rise since the early November. The researchers have predicted that the activity of influenza is going to increase in the coming weeks however, it is still difficult for them to predict when we can see a spike in such cases. Several doctors and health officials have already issued a warning that the current flu season can be a bad one. The indications of the warning are based on the reports of the influenza activities in the southern hemisphere where the flu season recently concluded. These reports only show that we may be looking forward to more cases of flu compared to the last year. Although various viruses are there in the air, the circulation of these viruses keeps changing each season. Till now H3N2 has been a major strain this season. The season in which H3N2 dominates the overall tends to have a higher hospitalization and death rates compared to other strains.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports so far there have been 5 deaths which have been reported. The deaths have been among children, however, same time last year no deaths were reported. Also, the rate of hospitalization has been around 2 people per 100000 people in the United States. It should also be noted that the rate has been high in older people especially in adults aged 65 and above. The average rate was 7 hospitalizations per 100000 this year compared to 1.3 last year, which is very high.

The strains affecting the people are not matching the flu strains which have been provided in the flu shots. The is another factor which is affecting the rigorousness of the flu strains. The flu vaccine is still considered the best way to prevent the flu and all are advised to take their vaccine every year. It is estimated that 40% of the vaccines are effective in preventing flu in people.