Flu Season Is Starting In The U.S. And Experts Warn It Could Be Severe

After very low winter flu numbers final 12 months, consultants are warning that this 12 months’s flu season could possibly be much more extreme than regular. Beneath 2,000 confirmed instances of influenza had been detected throughout the 2020-2021 flu season within the U.S., according to the CDC, in comparison with an estimate of at least 39 million cases the 12 months earlier than. Only one pediatric demise from the flu was recorded in winter 2020-2021, in comparison with 199 the 12 months earlier than.

“We thought that the 2020-2021 flu season can be extreme, however that didn’t materialize,” says Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H., senior director of an infection prevention for the Johns Hopkins Well being System. “It’s possible that as a result of so many individuals had been taking an infection precautions in opposition to Covid-19 final 12 months, that translated to a decrease flu transmission price as properly,” added Maragakis, additionally an affiliate professor of drugs on the Johns Hopkins College Faculty of Medication.

Maragakis says that it’s potential that the very low variety of flu instances final 12 months would possibly imply that fewer individuals have immunity to the flu strains circulating this winter. This, mixed with way more relaxed precautions in opposition to Covid-19 than this time in 2020 might imply a tough season for the flu, which usually kills wherever between 12,000 and 56,000 People per 12 months.

A number of the signs of flu overlap with that of Covid-19, together with fever, headache, physique aches, dry cough, sore throat and fatigue. However as each are airborne respiratory viruses, the excellent news is that prevention measures for Covid-19 may also assist stop flu infections.

“Individuals can use the identical prevention measures to protect themselves in opposition to each sicknesses. These embrace washing your palms ceaselessly, carrying face masks, working towards bodily distancing, and getting vaccinated with each the Covid-19 and flu vaccines,” mentioned Maragakis.

Though flu is already circulating within the U.S., instances are inclined to peak between December and February and flu vaccines are actually extensively out there throughout the nation. Kids youthful than 2, or over 65, are at greater threat of extreme flu outcomes as are people who find themselves immunocompromised or reside with a lot of different well being circumstances together with coronary heart illness, weight problems, bronchial asthma and diabetes.

“Like Covid-19, the flu could cause some individuals to get extraordinarily sick, resulting in hospitalization and even demise,” says Aaron Milstone, M.D., M.H.S., professor of pediatrics on the Johns Hopkins College Faculty of Medication. “To stop this, it’s essential that folks ages 6 months or older get the flu vaccine as quickly as potential. Like all vaccines, it doesn’t provide 100% safety from the viruses — however it might tremendously cut back the severity of the sickness and we extremely suggest that every one eligible individuals get the Covid-19 vaccine,” added Milstone, additionally a pediatric infectious illness specialist at Johns Hopkins Kids’s Middle.

Crucially, for individuals who don’t have a lot time however wish to get themselves or their youngsters protected in opposition to each the flu and Covid-19 forward of winter, the CDC confirms that the vaccines can safely be given on the identical time.

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