In general, the flu season spikes in
the first week of January as evidenced in the graph. Every year, that
is, until this year. No, the 2015-15 season resembled more a flat
tire than anything else. So what was happening? No one really knows.
Perhaps everyone decided to get their flu shot this year. Perhaps
people are staying home more and shopping on the internet. Perhaps no
one has much money and so they are more limited in their travel activities.
Perhaps none of the above is really the case. Still, it's rather
creepy to see that one of the three circulating strains (H1N1, aka
the swine flu) which is very contagious, has not been catching...
that is until now....
The CDC has just recently issued a
health visionary after seeing the H1N1 version of the flu show up
here and there in the US. Here is part of that advisory: “Influenza
activity is increasing across the country and CDC has received
reports of severe influenza illness. Clinicians are reminded to treat
suspected influenza in high-risk outpatients, those with progressive
disease, and all hospitalized patients with antiviral medications as
soon as possible, regardless of negative rapid influenza diagnostic
test (RIDT) results and without waiting for RT-PCR testing
results. Early antiviral treatment works best, but treatment may
offer benefit when started up to 4-5 days after symptom onset in
hospitalized patients. Early antiviral treatment can reduce influenza
morbidity and mortality.”
Furthermore, a look at the most recent
map of the states adds even more to puzzle over! The incidents of
sickness appear to be all over the board! That's generally not the
pattern that is seen, as in most seasons the disease spreads across
the US in distinct waves.
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