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At least 13 states, including Tennessee and Louisiana, have reported high or very high levels of flu-like illness - double the number from the previous week
Even as the holidays have begun, the predictable flu is spreading in full swing, with cases increasing across the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC says 13 states, including Tennessee and Louisiana, have reported high or very high levels of flu-like illness—double the number from the previous week. Also, flu-related emergency room visits and lab test confirmations are spiking, which doctors say is going to be the start of a difficult and challenging winter ahead.
Meanwhile, Louisiana is experiencing a similar spike.
Why are flu cases spiking?
According to experts, low flu vaccination rates this season can be behind the surge in flu cases, as the CDC shows only 41 per cent of adults and children had been vaccinated till early December, with paediatric rates dropping from 44 per cent last year. Also, COVID-19 vaccination rates are even lower—at 21 per cent for adults and 11 per cent for children.
Public health officials are urging people to get their flu shots, especially ahead of holiday gatherings.
Despite this, however, Louisiana’s health department said in a statement Friday that it was actually backing away from recommending flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, the news release stated.
What is the flu?
According to experts, the flu is an illness you get from the influenza virus which causes severe head and body aches, sore throat, fever, and respiratory symptoms. Flu is most common in winter months when many people can get sick at once.
According to experts, flu season—when cases of the flu go up dramatically—in the Northern Hemisphere (which includes the US) is October through May. The highest number of cases usually happens between December and February.
Are you at a higher risk for complications from flu?
According to experts, a few health conditions put you at higher risk for severe illness from the flu, which includes life-threatening complications that require hospitalization. You are at higher risk for serious disease if you:
- Have asthma, COPD, or other chronic lung disease.
- Have a history of kidney, liver, neurological, heart, or blood vessel disease, including stroke.
- Have a condition that causes issues with muscle function or makes it difficult to cough, swallow, or clear fluids from your airways.
- Have diabetes
- Have a weak immune system
- Have a blood disorder like sickle cell disease
- Are under five years old or over 65 years
- Are pregnant
Signs and symptoms of flu
Symptoms of the flu usually come on quickly and can include:
- High fever
- Chills
- Body aches
- Cough
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Extreme tiredness and fatigue
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
What causes the flu?
The influenza virus causes flu. Influenza A, B, and C are the most common types that infect people. Influenza A and B are seasonal (most people get them in the winter) and have more severe symptoms. Influenza C doesn’t cause severe symptoms and it’s not seasonal—the number of cases stays about the same throughout the year.
H1N1 swine flu and H1N5 bird flu are both subtypes of influenza A.
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