It may be the height of the flu season but diagnosing flu remains a challenge for physicians.
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Flu season most often peaks in February. Buckle up, says the little rodent from Punxsutawney.
Evidence indicates that dogs can become infected with human-adapted influenza strains, making this incredibly concerning. When two different influenza strains infect the same host, the viruses can swap genes, a process known as genetic reassortment. This can produce devastating influenza pandemics.
This flu season is bad. Look no further than the Golden State, where emergency departments are overflowing with flu patients and the number of cases and deaths are already much higher than the 2016-17 flu season. And worse, it's very likely that many other states will be hit with the same crisis.
Flu season is ramping up and it will be nearing its peak in a month or two. Unfortunately, what we've learned so far is that H3N2 is the predominant circulating strain. What that tells us, using previous flu seasons dominated by that strain as a guide, is that we're probably in for a rough ride.
“I was sick with the flu” is a refrain heard each winter. But many who say it are actually mistaken. The flu is caused by an influenza virus, which is confirmed by specific testing. So if you weren't specifically tested for it and deemed positive, then it's possible you didn't have it.
Predictions have it that this year's flu strain is bad. Tragically, a California toddler's recent death reminds us of just how virulent the flu can be. And he won't be alone. There are roughly 100 pediatric deaths a year from the flu. To see just how soon we will be walloped by flu cases, take a look at the graph in this article.
If you have been procrastinating getting your flu shot - it's time to get to a healthcare provider or local pharmacy and get it off of your 'to-do' list. Flu statistics are watched closely at this time of year, and the last few weeks of data have shown a notable increase in the number of flu cases with experts predicting that flu activity will be increasing in the near future - specifically over the next several weeks.
This Saturday marks the beginning of flu season -- which spans the months of October to May -- so that means it's time to get your flu shot. The ideal time is to get vaccinated before the end of October. The CDC has issued immunization guidance with a few changes worth noting, which we have for you here.
Flu vaccine given by nasal spray is a godsend to parents of kids who fear "shots." But for the next flu season they may well have to revert to the injectable version, since experts fear the spray is not very effective against the most prevalent strains of the inluenza virus.
Young babies can't get flu shots, since their immune systems aren't mature yet. But pregnant mothers can get protected, and then pass their immunity to their babies. A new report shows that infants whose moms had been vaccinated had a 70 percent reduction in flu infection. There's really no reason not to do it.
According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although the number of influenza cases reported across the U.S. is steadily climbing, flu activity is nowhere near what the nation witnessed by this time last year.