Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Flu Activity Has Not Peaked Yet, Says CDC Amid Record Breaking Season

While US has already reported record breaking <span>flu cases</span>, with hospitalizations and deaths continuing to rise, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the flu activity may not have peaked yet. Around 40,000 people were admitted to the hospital with flu during the week ending with January 3. The CDC published the data that showed around 10% more than the 36,000 hospitalizations from the week before. There were 12 flu hospitalizations for every 100,000 people in the US last week. 

CDC has also noted that vaccination "has been shown to reduce the risk of flu and its potentially serious complications". However, only 130 million doses of vaccine have been distributed, which covers less than 40% of the US population. 

While the CDC data showed an increase in flu-like activity, and that the records have reached the highest since the initiation of the agency's tracking around 30 years ago, some indicators this week have fallen. CDC says that this does not mean the season has reached its peak, rather the downtick "could be due to changes in healthcare seeking or reporting during the holidays." CDC says more flu cases may come in the weeks ahead. 

<h2>The Worst Flu Season Could Become Worse</h2>

This year's flu came after the flu vaccination was made, which means the current vaccination does not align with the mutation, however, experts have pointed out that it still continues to offer protection against the illness. This season's flu is a mutation of H3N2 or influenza A, called the subclade K, or what people are calling 'super flu'.

This is the culprit in rising flu cases, globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) on its website said that K variant marks "a notable evolution in influenza A (H3N2) viruses". Some are also questioning the effectiveness of this season's influenza vaccine against the strain.

The flu virus is highly contagious and spreads easily in crowded places, especially during the colder months.

In some cases, the infection can progress to the lungs, which could lead to complications like bronchitis or pneumonia. Yale Medicine too notes that this virus could attack the respiratory system, including throat, nose, and lungs.

<h2>What Are The Common Symptoms This Season For The Flu?</h2>

K variant causes more intense <span>flu symptoms</span>, they include:

<ul><li>Fever</li><li>Chills</li><li>Headache</li><li>Fatigue</li><li>Cough</li><li>Sore throat</li><li>Runny nose</li></ul>

<h2>Are The Old Vaccines Effective Against This New Variant?</h2>

"The vaccine remains the most effective means to prevent disease. We still want to encourage people to get the vaccine," said Professor Antonia Ho, Professor and Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases at the University of Glasgow. Experts have stressed enough on the immunity that one can receive from the vaccine that that these flu jab remain the best defense against the flu, even though the current strain circulated may have drifted away from the strain included in this year's jab.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also show that vaccines is performing as expect, despite the emergence of subclade K.

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While US has already reported record breaking flu cases, with hospitalizations and deaths continuing to rise, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the flu activity may not have peaked yet. Around 40,000 people were admitted to the hospital with flu during the week ending with January 3. The CDC published the data that showed around 10% more than the 36,000 hospitalizations from the week before. There were 12 flu hospitalizations for every 100,000 people in the US last week. CDC has also noted that vaccination "has been shown to reduce the risk of flu and its potentially serious complications". However, only 130 million doses of vaccine have been distributed, which covers less than 40% of the US population. While the CDC data showed an increase in flu-like activity, and that the records have reached the highest since the initiation of the agency's tracking around 30 years ago, some indicators this week have fallen. CDC says that this does not mean the season has reached its peak, rather the downtick "could be due to changes in healthcare seeking or reporting during the holidays." CDC says more flu cases may come in the weeks ahead. The Worst Flu Season Could Become WorseThis year's flu came after the flu vaccination was made, which means the current vaccination does not align with the mutation, however, experts have pointed out that it still continues to offer protection against the illness. This season's flu is a mutation of H3N2 or influenza A, called the subclade K, or what people are calling 'super flu'.This is the culprit in rising flu cases, globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) on its website said that K variant marks "a notable evolution in influenza A (H3N2) viruses". Some are also questioning the effectiveness of this season's influenza vaccine against the strain.The flu virus is highly contagious and spreads easily in crowded places, especially during the colder months.In some cases, the infection can progress to the lungs, which could lead to complications like bronchitis or pneumonia. Yale Medicine too notes that this virus could attack the respiratory system, including throat, nose, and lungs.What Are The Common Symptoms This Season For The Flu?K variant causes more intense flu symptoms, they include:FeverChillsHeadacheFatigueCoughSore throatRunny noseAre The Old Vaccines Effective Against This New Variant?"The vaccine remains the most effective means to prevent disease. We still want to encourage people to get the vaccine," said Professor Antonia Ho, Professor and Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases at the University of Glasgow. Experts have stressed enough on the immunity that one can receive from the vaccine that that these flu jab remain the best defense against the flu, even though the current strain circulated may have drifted away from the strain included in this year's jab.Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also show that vaccines is performing as expect, despite the emergence of subclade K.