Unfortunately, the flu season probably won’t start winding down anytime soon, Schuchat added.
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Like many cases this season, what’s so hard to understand is that Whitley got the flu shot in October after giving birth to her son, River, she’s physically active and has no underlying medical conditions yet was stricken down by influenza and is on life support. Dr. Rattay said it is likely there will be elevated flu activity for many weeks to come.
The CDC reports this year’s flu vaccine is only about 30 percent effective against the flu’s most common strain this year.
The CDC again said influenza activity was widespread in 48 states and Puerto Rico for the week.
Flu-linked hospitalization rates continue to rise – from 51.5 per 100,000 people for the week ending January 27 to 59.9 per 100,000 people for the week ending February 3.
The agency reported another 10 deaths among children this season, bringing the total to 63 so far.
There isn’t really a way to determine how much longer the flu season will last. “The cases we’ve seen this year are significantly higher than our numbers in the two to three previous years”.
“In 2014-15, that number was 35.1 per 1,000”.
An already aggressive flu season is becoming more challenging.
“With the flu in the United States at nearly historical proportions, it’s important to be vaccinated and protect yourself as much as possible”, says Kerry McCue, health administrator.
The predominant flu strain this season, H3N2, typically leads to more illnesses and deaths.
She said one intriguing new finding in the report is that coinfection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were detected in 24 of the kids who died.
Most people who feel sick won’t need to see a doctor, she noted.
Months before the American flu season, scientists observe the southern hemisphere to discover what next year’s strains of flu might look like and develop a vaccine based on these predictions. The virus that causes influenza spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing, as well as through direct contact with infected people and contaminated surfaces or objects.
Most of Indiana’s flu-related deaths this season have involved people age 65 and older.
Dr. Schuchat also recommended avoiding those who are sick, frequent hand-washing, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and staying home from work or school when sick. There are also side effects of the flu vaccine, including soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, body aches, and low grade fevers. By getting immunized, people also reduce the risk of spreading the flu to others, especially those at high risk of such complications as pneumonia or death, and may reduce the severity of symptoms if they get the flu.
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On average, flu vaccines are about 40-60 percent effective, so out of 100 people who get the vaccine, about 40-60 people will be protected.
