So far, flu has sickened up to 7.3 million people in the United States and hospitalized more than 83,000 through January 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Half of the flu-affected people had to see a doctor with symptoms of fever, chills, and other flu symptoms, according to the estimates released on Friday by the federal health officials.
The new federal estimates provide an insight into the complexity of the ongoing flu season. The estimates that cover October 1 through January 5 are the first to be published this season, which follow “unusually” severe flu season of the last year.
The CDC says that each year seasonal flu puts a substantial burden on the Americans. And the latest estimates fill out the picture of the flu burden in the U.S.
According to CDC estimates, flu killed over 79,000 people last season. The flu activity then picked up in November and persisted at high levels for a few weeks in January and February 2018. The CDC further explained that it was the most severe flu season since 2009 when the H1N1 pandemic took place and roughly 12,469 U.S. citizens died and above 60 million were sick with influenza.
Approximately 48 million people in the U.S. got sick last season and nearly 23 million people checking with their doctor for the symptoms of flu. The CDC says around 959,000 people were hospitalized with influenza. There were high levels of flu in 15 states, including the New York City, during the first week of this year, down from 19 states at the end of 2018.
The number of doctor visits associated with the flu or similar kind of problems declined to nearly 3.5 percent of all the outpatient appointments from 4.1 percent.
The CDC, however, did not include the estimates on how many flu-affected people have died so far this season. As of December 29, 19 states had high levels of flu activity and 13 children had died.
The officials went on to explain that the annual flu levels often depend on a variety of factors, such as virus strains, the efficacy of the flu vaccine, and the number of people vaccinated for flu.
Hospitals have started taking precautionary measures by restricting people who visit patients in order to prevent the spread of the virus, requesting sick people as well as children to refrain from visits until the end of this flu season. The CDC urges Americans to get vaccinated against flu, which is known to continue to spread for a few more months.
Children below 5 years, adults above 65 years, and pregnant women are at greater risk of catching flu, says CDC. Also, people with a history of asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and other debilitating medical conditions are vulnerable. Health officials say a flu shot can help prevent flu and reduce the severity of complications caused by flu, including death. Even if one gets sick with flu, there are antiviral drugs available, especially to children, elderly people, pregnant women, and others who are vulnerable to influenza.
