The flu is short for influenza. Influenza is a serious and sometimes deadly infection that can spread quickly across populations all over the globe. Cases of the flu typically appear during what is known as the flu season.
During this time, flu infections are far more common. In the United States, for example, flu season begins in October and extends through May.
Health officials expect to see the greatest number of flu infections roughly in February. Officials monitor the flu season closely. They're looking for trends. Scientists and world health officials wish to answer many questions about flu infections. They are trying to determine which areas are seeing the most infections. They're also trying to determine the severity of the flu virus as well as mortality and morbidity rates.
A Particularly Bad Season
The flu season of 2017-2018 was a particularly severe one. Of all the flu seasons on record, it had one of the highest death rates and per capita hospitalization rates. Officials estimate over eighty thousand Americans died of the flu or from complications.
More than nine hundred thousand were hospitalized. Given those circumstances, it is understandable that officials are keeping a close eye on the current flu season. They want to make sure that all health facilities have the capacity to respond to cases of the flu and offer lifesaving treatment. This is why they are doing everything they can to keep people informed about outbreaks of the flu in each part of the country.
Getting Vaccinated
So far, health officials do not think this season will be as serious as last year. However, they still highly recommend vaccination for all those over six months. Health officials are offering several types of flu vaccinations.
The trivalent strain protects against three flu strains. The quadrivalent vaccine offers protection against an additional strain. Seniors can get a high dose vaccine that is designed for those with weaker immune systems. They can also opt for the adjuvanted vaccine that is intended to produce a stronger immune response.
People with known egg allergies now have a flu vaccine option. The recombinant vaccine offers protection against three strains of the flu. In addition, there's also a nasal stray. This is not recommended for certain groups including pregnant women and those who have weakened immune systems.
Millions of Doses
Over one hundred and sixty-six million flu vaccine doses have been prepared for distribution. Officials recommend people get the vaccine as soon as they can. It can take up to two weeks for protection to begin.
An earlier shot means that people are more protected as the flu season continues. Part of the reason morbidity rates were so high last year is fewer people got a flu vaccine. Only about thirty-seven percent of adults older than eighteen were vaccinated.
Only about fifty-eight percent of children got a flu shot. Officials hope to see an increase in flu shot coverage this year that should help reduce complications and deaths.
The CDC has provided the following information about the 2018-2019 Flu Season:
Will the United States have a flu epidemic?
The United States experiences annual epidemics of seasonal flu. This time of year is called "flu season." In the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter months. Influenza activity often begins to increase in October and November. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, and it can last as late as May. CDC monitors certain key flu indicators (for example, outpatient visits of influenza-like illness (ILI), the results of laboratory testing and reports of flu hospitalizations and deaths). When these indicators rise and remain elevated for a number of consecutive weeks, "flu season" is said to have begun. Usually ILI increases first, followed by an increase in flu-associated hospitalizations, which is then followed by increases in flu-associated deaths.
When will flu activity begin and when will it peak?
The timing of flu is unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Seasonal flu viruses can be detected year-round; however, seasonal flu activity often begins as early as October and November and can continue to occur as late as May. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.
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