Flu Fever Hits the U. S. : What You Need to Know

Let us dive into the current situation. The cold winter months have brought along a notably bad influenza season in the U. S over the last 15 years. A significant measure of flu activity is the percentage of doctor's visits driven by flu-like symptoms. Currently, the number of people seeking medical attention for these symptoms is higher than at any point since 2009-2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is crucial to differentiate between the flu and other illnesses. COVID-19 seems to be decreasing in prevalence, while RSV has also been declining. This could indicate a more intensified flu season. Flu activity has caused school closures and absences in some states. For example, the Godley Independent School District, near Fort Worth, Texas, shut down for three days after 650 students and 60 staff members were out. Mentioned by a district speaker as the worst flu season they've seen. This may be a sign of more serious complications. In Numbers, the CDC estimates as of this season, there have been around 24 million flu illnesses, 310, 000 hospitalizations, and 13, 000 deaths, including at least 57 children. These numbers are expected to rise. The flu season typically reaches its peak in February. Many states have reported high or very high flu activity. The South, Southwest, and Western states are currently the most affected. The CDC has not been able to provide insights concerning flu trends due to limitations on public health agencies' communication. It is widely recommended that everyone aged 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccination each year. Flu vaccination rates among individuals 6 months and older are similar to last year, at about 44%. However, vaccination rates among children have dropped to around 45% this winter, down from the usual 50%. COVID-19 vaccination rates are also rising, with about 23% of adults and 12% of kids up to date as of late January. The government has yet to release data on the effectiveness of this season's flu vaccine. Testing has indicated that the most common strains causing illnesses are Type A H1N1 and Type A H3N2. A third strain, known as Type A H5N1, has been detected in tens of millions of animals and has infected 67 people in the U. S. To stay healthy, doctors advise avoiding touching your face, washing your hands frequently, and steering clear of sick individuals. Additionally, it's important to clean surfaces that are frequently touched.