After 21 weeks, influenza cases are still widespread across the
U.S.
by
Sarah Elizabeth Adler, AARP, April 24, 2019
Flu
season is still here, and its persistence is breaking records. According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
it clocked in at 21 weeks and counting as of April 13. That's the longest flu
season in at least a decade, surpassing the 20 weeks set in 2014-2015.
Its
persistence has to do with a “double-barreled” pattern of viral activity this
year, says William Schaffner, M.D., medical director of the National
Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
The
season began this fall with the circulation of a milder H1N1 strain. Then, in
mid-February, a second wave of activity took off — and this one was linked to a
troublesome H3N2 strain, which can cause more severe illness, particularly
among older adults.
"It's
almost as though we had one season, overlapping, and then another,” Schaffner
says. “That undoubtedly contributed to [the season's] length.”
According
to the CDC, flu activity typically peaks between December and February, but can
continue into May.
With
both flu and spring allergens in the air, people may be confused about what's
causing their sniffles and sneezes. Schaffner says that a fever is a good
indication that someone is dealing with a late-season flu rather than seasonal
allergies or a cold and should seek medical care. Prompt treatment with
antivirals can go a long way toward managing flu symptoms and minimizing the risk
of complications.
So far,
this year's flu season has resulted in as many as 57,300 deaths and 610,000
hospitalizations, according to the CDC's latest estimates, with the highest
rate of hospitalization among those ages 65 and over.
Though
longer, it's much less deadly than last year's 19-week season, which resulted
in an estimated 79,400 deaths and 959,000 hospitalizations.
And
it's finally showing signs of slowing down. According to the CDC's latest
update, 11 states reported widespread influenza activity for the week ending
April 13, down from 20 states the week before.
Schaffner
predicts that the number of cases will taper off sometime in early May.
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