Hendricks highlighted in a recent Times article, “We hate H3N2”, about influenza that the H3N2 component of the recent flu vaccine is believed to be about 30 percent effective in the United States.
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The Centers for Disease control reports widespread influenza activity in states, including OH and Pennsylvania. It’s said to be less serious than Aussie flu, with complications being less common, but it’s more contagious.
Health experts aren’t sure why this season is different.
In Minnesota, there have been 1,765 flu-related hospitalizations and one flu-related child death this season, according to the latest data from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). I think people don’t realize that flu is deadly every year.
There have been 48 flu-related deaths in England so far this winter.
“It’s like with kennel cough-unless the dog is unhealthy, it runs its course and the dog can take Robitussin and be done with it”.
This year’s strain is hitting children especially hard.
“Don’t put your hands in your mouth, your nose, your eyes, because that’s how you get that virus into your body”, he said. “The population saw a lot of H1N1-like influenza in the period from about 1918 to, say, 1957”. In San Diego, a hospital erected a tent outside its emergency room to manage an influx of people with flu symptoms. The symptoms are more severe than a normal flu and can cause pneumonia and other complications.
According to the report, there were 1,155 deaths associated with the flu virus between October 1, 2017 and January 10, 2018.
“You’re much better off than not getting it, but the strains that were in the flu vaccine this year are not necessarily the strains we are being faced with”, he said.
“It looks like it’s starting to level out”, said the CDC’s Lynnette Brammer, who oversees flu tracking. By comparison, San Diego County hasn’t tallied fewer than 65 deaths since the 2012-2013 season. We saw this recently, first with Ebola and then Zika. In less than a year it claimed the lives of about 50 million people, four times more than those lost to the war. It’s even more important for patients to see a doctor if they have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease, or if they are young or elderly.
The latest statement from the CDC did not address whether the widespread publicity of the nuclear attack sessions influenced its decision or if the White House was involved in discussions to change the topic.
Medical Center Barbour’s ER and also MCB clinics have seen a significant surge of patients with the flu, said Stephanie Ryan Cox, Director of Marketing for MCB, but it hasn’t impacted their ability to treat patients.
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This flu season is particularly fraught with danger.
