Posted on 01/21/2018 4:27:01 PM PST by blam
The flu season that's already been the worst in nearly a decade is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, according to the latest report released Friday from the nation's health protection agency.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the flu that is blanketing every state except Hawaii is growing more intense and deadly. So far this season, the flu has claimed the lives of at least 30 children, according to the latest CDC report.
"The peak of flu season is in February, so we have about a month for things to get worse," Dr. Manny Alvarez, Fox News Senior Managing Health Editor, said Sunday on "America's News HQ."
Dr. Kelly Powers provides insight about this especially virulent strain. Video
Thirty-two states reported high patient traffic last week, up from 26 the previous week. That is how the CDC gets a measure of the season based on how many doctor or hospital visits are because of cough or other flu symptoms. Overall, the health agency said it was the busiest week for flu symptoms in nine years.
FLU DEATHS PROMPT WARNINGS FROM VICTIMS' FAMILIES AS OUTBREAK CONTINUES
"This is a season that has a lot more steam than we thought," Dr. Dan Jernigan with the CDC told the Associated Press.
The virus that's predominating this year is Influenza A (H3N2), and that tends to be more severe. It affects the elderly and the very young, epidemiologist Lynnette Brammer, who leads the CDC's Domestic Influenza Surveillance Team, told Fox News.
In a bad season, there are as many as 56,000 deaths connected to the flu. In the U.S., annual flu shots are recommended for everyone age 6 months or older.
(snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
“””””When I am at the hospital I am masked.””””””””
I am at the hospital everyday since my son is on his 71st day there as a patient. I am 60 and never had a flu shot. I guess I will really be put to the test this year.
Signs up everywhere saying stay away if you are sick.
If at all possible try not to make contact with anyone outside home if possible. AS crazy as it may sound we use nasal swabs before we go out that are supposed to protect us. It is really bad in N FL these days.
They missed the bot n identifying the proper strain - the shot is estimated to be 10% effect.
The main hospital ER in Panama City FL last week had to open an auxiliary location where they routed those with flu symptoms. The ER was overflowing and they didn’t want anymore around the hospital.
There was a guy in church today that went around shaking everyone’s hand. During most of the service, he was wiping sweat from his face (it wasn’t hot) and holding a tissue over his nose.
Not very considerate of him to go around shaking other’s hands like that. I don’t believe this guy had bad intentions. I just believe he’s rather simple-minded.
Wife and I both got the flu at the same time. We both had shots. Took 3 weeks to get over it. I’m still wearing a mask at doctor’s offices and hospitals. I’ve been told just because you had one strain does not make you immune from other strains.
My husband and I made sure to wash our hands when we got home from church this morning. I wondered if it would be a good idea to forgo the “passing of the peace” during this flu season.
Had a touch of the flu last weekend which predictably turned into a nasty cold. The flu is gone. The cold is lingering.
There’s a N3H2 variant hitting dogs now. Believed to have a 10% mortality rate.
I have a small bottle of Purell I used about a half dozen times today. After shaking hands, I quickly use the Purell. It may not keep me from getting ill all the time but I believe it helps.
My g-grandfather, g-grandmother, two of their children and an infant grandchild all died of the flu in 1918 within 5 days of each other. My parents were born in 1918. It was against the odds they survived.
There’s a N3H2 variant hitting dogs now. Believed to have a 10% mortality rate.
—
Obama trying to let in every 3rd worlder isn’t helping much either.
Oh no. That’s how it’s spread.
Our 7 m.o. grandson was fussy on Tuesday. Other grandchildren came over and the 13 y.o. granddaughter fed the baby and got him down for a nap while other relatives visted (for someone who lives in the sticks this can be grand central) Next morning (Wed) baby is diagnosed with flu. I ordered Tamiflu, next evening (Thurs) 13 y.o. has 105 temp, her brother and mom have temps. Tonight her brother and mom are much better but she still has 100 temp. Baby is fine now.
Cod Liver Oil is very high in D.
I bought some by mistake. Took me months to get up the nerve to open the bottle (remember it at Grandma’s) but when I did I was pleasantly surprised. It tasted like lemon flavored olive oil.
At 10% effective it can probably be attributed to the placebo effect!
Dangerous Strain Of Dog Flu Spreads Concern Across U.S.
"Just like their owners, dogs across the country are coming down with flu-like symptoms due to widespread canine influenza. While it's a flu strain that's different than the one affecting humans (and there are no known cases of transmission), it's just as dangerous and even more contagious among dogs."
That’s horrible. Reading about the 3rd grade girl dying has me particularly concerned.
I read last week about a Birmingham man going to the hospital and he was later in a coma. He had two strains of the flu. I believe the man was in his 30s.
“... I wouldn’t get it now....”
Don’t count on it unless you had all the strains!
Agree. Totally useless flu shot. I’ve read where it has made some people sick.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.