Influenza epidemic sweeps across the country
Influenza: a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and excessive buildup of mucus, and often occurring in epidemics.
The flu (also known as influenza) epidemic has hit hard across all of the United States, which is very unusual. As of October 1, the beginning of flu season, 60,000 samples have tested positive for influenza. Flu season can last up to 20 weeks.
CDC Influenza Division Director, Dr. Dan Jernigan, said in an interview with Time magazine that although we are at the peak of flu season, it could still last for several more months.
The most prevalent strand of this flu epidemic is H3N2. According to the CDC, years that there is a dominant H3 flu strain tend to be the worst epidemics.
The hospitalization rate for the flu is currently 22.7 people for every 100,000 people. 53 children have died from the virus because it deeply weakens the immune system, making it much easier to get other serious or fatal bacteria infections.
According to webmd.com, flu symptoms usually come on suddenly, unlike a cold. Look out for headaches, a dry cough, severe muscle and joint pain, weakness/extreme fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, flushed warm skin, and watery red eyes.
The influenza vaccine is designed to protect people from the flu but it typically only fights a few strains of the virus. Flu shots are still available and will be protective against influenza B which typically comes out later in the season.
Freshman Estee Moss was sick with influenza and had to miss five days of school. She struggled catching up with her work and now takes precautions to avoid getting sick.
“I did not get my flu shot this year which is why I was worried about it. I’m taking vitamins so that they help my immune system,” Moss said. “I just wanted to be back in school cause I missed a lot.”
The CDC says in order to prevent getting the flu, you need to wash your hands often, get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluids. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor to get tested for influenza so you can get medication, like Oseltamivir (otherwise known as Tamiflu), to lessen the degree of your symptoms. Additionally, stay home and rest for at least 24 hours and avoid contact with other people.
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Sarah Qureshi • Feb 28, 2018 at 1:52 pm
I really liked this story becasue as someone who has definitely been affected by this flu epidemic it is really interesting to read about how this issue is prevalent everywhere in the United States. The story was interesting and informative. Great job!