Across the United States, influenza activity so far this season has been sporadic. For the week ending December 24, 2011, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that “No states reported widespread influenza activity. Regional influenza activity was reported by one state (an increase from no states last week). Two states (the same number as last week) reported local influenza activity. Thirty-seven states (an increase from 36 states last week)…Ten states (a decrease from 11 states last week), the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands reported no influenza activity.â€
What does this information mean to you? The good news is that with low influenza activity across the nation, there have been fewer visits to doctors, and fewer deaths contributed to the flu and/or pneumonia; however, just because the flu is not prevalent now, doesn’t mean that there won’t be an upsurge in cases in the coming new year.
As the CDC explains, “Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.†As you can see, even health officials don’t know what effect a specific flu season will have on the American population until it is over.
What a person needs to do to prevent catching the flu in the coming months remains relatively easy. First, make sure to get vaccinated; there is plenty of vaccine still available. Next, wash your hands, especially after going to public places, including clinics, grocery stores, and schools. You can also carry anti-bacterial hand gel with you to kill the germs if you can’t get to a sink for soap and water. It is also a good idea to teach yourself not to touch your face with your fingers, including the eyes, as doing so aids transmission of the virus. Finally, if you know someone is sick with the flu, stay away from them if at all possible.
Of course there are a few more ways to ward off the flu, as well as other illnesses. Make sure you eat a balanced diet, full of vitamins and minerals, and get plenty of rest. The last thing you want is for your immune system to be worn down if you have been exposed to the influenza virus.
Finally, remember high risk groups for the flu as presented by the CDC. These people must use all prevention measures available to them.
1. Pregnant women
2. Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
3. People 50 years of age and older
4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
*Health care workers
*Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
*Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
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