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A young woman with flu blows her nose at home with a tissue.
For years, the US experiences one of the most intense flu seasons, with millions of people who are thought to be infected so far.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Estimates have been between 29 and 51 million Flu Since October 1 and between 13 and 23 million medical appointments for the disease.
Some of these cases were serious, with an estimated 370,000 to 820,000 hospital admissions so far. Tragic enough, the idea is that between 16,000 and 79,000 people have died of the flu since October.
There is a time delay of about a week on the release of flu figures, so these cover estimates until 8 February. They are for the time being and will be confirmed later this year. Cases usually increase in February before they are closed in April and May, so the estimates will probably increase in the coming weeks.
How much flu does the US see every year?
Flu statistics vary every year, but this season seems to be relatively strong. For example, that lower estimate of 370,000 hospital admissions is already higher than the confirmed total from 2021 to 2022, 2015 to 2016 and 2013 to 2014 seasons.
Last year’s flu season saw a total of 40 million cases, with 18 million people who visit a care provider, 470,000 flu -related hospital admissions and 28,000 deaths. Those figures fall within the estimates that have been released for this season so far, but given that it is only mid -February, this year could still increase considerably.
The COVID-19 Pandemie has had a major impact on seasonal patterns, with lower percentages of winter diseases observed in line with lockdowns and other measures designed to prevent the spread of diseases. Various winter diseases have risen this season, including Norovirus, which returned after several quieter years.
Flu vaccination levels have also fallen since the pandemic, which can also have an effect on today’s outbreak.
What causes the flu?
Flu is a seasonal disease caused by infection with the flu virus. It causes symptoms, including high temperature, coughing, sore throat, a painful body, headache and exhaustion. Symptoms can develop within a few hours.
Most people can treat their flu at home with rest, liquids and freely available painkillers. But some people will develop serious symptoms that require hospitalization. Flu can cause chest pain and make it difficult to breathe. It can sometimes lead to pneumonia, a serious lung disease that can be fatal.
Various factors can make you more vulnerable to serious symptoms, including very young or older than 65, being pregnant or have a state of health such as diabetes or asthma.
How to protect against the flu
Vaccination Is the best way to protect against flu. Shots improve the body’s ability to recognize and combat the influenza virus, which can reduce the chance of catching the disease and can lead to milder symptoms.
Annual vaccination is recommended for almost everyone older than six months old, but they are especially important for people who are at risk of serious illness due to flu. The recordings themselves are updated every year, depending on which virus tribes are expected. There are different types of flu virus, and some are more prominent in different seasons.
Avoiding contact with others who have flu symptoms can help to prevent you from catching the disease. If you get sick, it will stay at home and limit contact with others help reduce the flu.
Good hygiene practices can also help prevent the spread of diseases. This includes regularly washing your hands, avoiding your face and covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, ideally with a tissue.
The well -ventilated rooms can also reduce the risk of flu transmission, because cleaning often affected surfaces such as door handles, keyboards and worktops and any contaminated tissues throw away.