How to prepare and prevent spreading the flu
CDC warns cases of flu on the rise, severe strain causing more severe illness.
Flu season has officially arrived, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the agency is warning of a severe strain that has already caused an uptick of infections, even at epidemic levels in some states. Every year across the country, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized because of the flu.
Our knowledgeable medical staff at Three Rivers Medical Center recommends ways to protect yourself and your loved ones during the height of flu season, sharing tips on how to stay healthy and prevent spreading the disease to others.
Flu season is officially in full swing, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an increase in positive flu test results at the end of December and expects that trend to continue in the coming weeks. Flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus, which affects the nose, throat and lungs. According to the CDC, every year in the United States more than 200,000 people are hospitalized because of the flu. This year’s most prominent flu strain appears to be H3N2, an “A” type strain known to cause more severe symptoms, especially in very young and elderly people.
While the H3N2 strain has been known to cause particularly bad outbreaks of the flu in the U.S., the good news is there are several steps that can be taken to help prevent contracting and spreading the virus.
Individuals who are at high risk for developing flu-related complications should exercise particular caution during flu season. Children under age five, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and people who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities are especially susceptible to complications related to flu.
The best way to prevent getting the flu and spreading it to others is to get a vaccine. This flu season the CDC recommends using an injectable influenza vaccine. Both the three-component and four-component vaccinations available this year contain protection against H3N2, so if you have not yet been vaccinated it is best to make an appointment with your primary care provider or visit your nearest health clinic as soon as possible, especially if you are at high risk of contracting the flu.
