In 2009, the H1N1 flu, also called Swine Flu, killed 5% of the people who contracted it. The hospitals were full of patients requiring medical attention for the flu, and they even had to set up extra rooms to handle the large numbers of people seeking treatment. This had been the second influenza pandemic ever, with the first being in 1918. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has announced that this year is expected to be the worst since 2009.
We have had relatively mild flu seasons since the 2009 pandemic, and because of this, many people are not getting vaccinated as they should to obtain protection. The CDC states that this year the flu season started earlier than usual, which has caused the spread of the illness to speed up. Doctors are reporting nationally that the increase in seeing patients with flu-like symptoms has increased threefold from the past previous years for the current time period.
So what is the good news? It is that you can still take steps to protect yourself and your family. A flu vaccine is your best defense, and it is abundantly available this year. The CDC states that the vaccine that was formulated for this year includes the strains that are infecting people. It is not too late to get a flu shot, because the season can run through February and sometimes into March. Also, frequent hand washing, and not touching your eyes, mouth, and nose can help keep you healthy.
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