Medical health care providers warn people that the flu threat is still available, causing a lot of hospitalizations and even deaths. Specialists argue that the flu season this year appears to be like any other flu season, but some new facts may have proved them wrong. The increased number of hospitalizations which were reported together with the number of deaths is currently worrying specialists. Federal health officials have reported the terrible news on January 27.
- The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn people about the flu season.
- There were registered many flu hospitalizations and an increased number of deaths related to flu complications.
- Anyone older than six months needs to be vaccinated against the influenza virus.
Lynnette Brammer, an epidemiologist with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that we are several weeks apart from the moment when the flu season will reach its peak. She also indicated that she discovered many cases of severe illness. There were also registered a high number of deaths probably because of influenza virus.
Brammer noted that even if the number of hospitalizations and deaths is currently rising, the flu season of this year was not yet described as being severe. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention argued that everyone who did not yet take a flu shot, they are advised to rush to the doctor’s office and do it before it is too late.
This vaccine is extremely significant especially for the vulnerable part of the population, like very young people, elderly individuals, pregnant women and those who are chronically sick. The CDC did not count the adult deaths caused by flu, but they are tracking the number of children deaths. Brammer pointed out that this week three more children died. The number of child deaths reached eight so far.
Compared to other past years’ flu seasons, the number of deaths is still low. Last year, about 128 children died due to complications which occurred after contracting the influenza virus. Brammer claimed that the dominant flu strain is H3N2. This strain often triggers a severe season which most likely affects the young and elderly individuals.
What is more, H1N1 and B viruses are also spreading. Probably, before the flu season ends, we will also witness a wave of influenza B and H1N1 before the flu season ends. The vaccine used this year is bound to protect people against all circulating viruses. The CDC advises all adults and infants who are at least six months old to get the flu vaccine.
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