Flu Season 2013-14 Update

During week 49,December 1-7,2013,influenza activity continued to increase in the United States,the CDC reported.Of 6219 specimens tested,13.3% were influenza positive.The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was below the epidemic threshold.*
A cumulative rate of 2.0 lab-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalisations per 100,000 people was reported.The proportion of outpatient visits was 2.1%,above the national baseline of 2.0.Influenza A accounted for 94.0% of cases;Influenza B for 6.0%.*
The gulf states of Alabama,Mississippi and Texas had a high level of influenza activity;Lousiana was moderate.The rest of the country had minimal to low activity.*
As flu season peaks in the winter months,it is still advisable to be vaccinated.It takes two weeks for the vaccine to take effect.It is on average 56% effective at totally preventing flu,but is also believed to lessen the severity of cases that are contracted.
Last year,164 children died of influenza in the US.About 24,000 adults are estimated to die of the disease each year,90% of them age 65 or older.
The vaccine is available everywhere from pharmacies to walk-in clinics and doctor's offices.The young,the old,and those with chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable to influenza.

Flu Vaccines Available Now-what you should know

According to the CDC,164 children died of seasonal influenza in the US last flu season.The adult mortality rate in 2010 was 0.2%,or 500 deaths per 100,000 people.On average,about 24,000 adults will die in a typical flu season.
Flu season varies.It can begin as early as October and run through Spring.Last season,hospitalisation for those 65 and older spiked in mid-December and peaked in mid-March.
The flu vaccine is available right now for those 6 months of age and up,and
everyone age 6 months and up is urged to get vaccinated.Last season,56.6% of children ages 6 months to 17 got vaccinated,and 41.5% of adults 18 and up.
This year,a new quadrivalent form of the vaccine is being rolled out.It protects against four strains of flu,rather than the traditional three.All FluMist vaccines will be quadrivalent this season.FluMist is only for people up to age 49.The quadrivalent injection will not be available everywhere,but by three years from now will become the standard vaccine.You may request the quadrivalent form from your provider,but you should still get vaccinated even if it isn't available in your area.The traditional trivalent shot is much better than nothing at all.There is also a concentrated,more effective form of the vaccine for those 65 and older.
It takes around two weeks for the flu vaccine to become effective in your body.The vaccine is on average 56% effective at preventing the flu;but is believed to lessen the flu's severity,even when it doesn't prevent it.
Complications of influenza include bacterial pneumonia;ear and sinus infections;dehydration;worsening of chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure,asthma and diabetes;and even heart attacks.

Health Uncle:Vaccination Update

Novartis has reported that its version of the H1N1 vaccine is very effective.It only requires one dose,rather than two as was anticipated.In any event,given the projected initial scarcity of the vaccines,a priority list for vaccination has been established by the Centers for Disease Control.The list is as follows:children 6 months to four years;children 5-18 years;those of any age who are pregnant,live with or care for children younger than 6 months,or are health care or emergency services workers.Once those groups have been vaccinated,everyone age 25-64 should be vaccinated.
Vaccination schedules for regular flu shots are already being posted,so check with your local health department for that information.

Health Uncle:Vaccine Formulated

The flu vaccine for 2009-10 has been finalized by the Centers for Disease Control.The three-part vaccine will be nearly identical to that for 2008-09.The two Type A strains in the vaccine will be the same,but the Type B strain will be slightly modified.With the recent ramping-up of their capacities,the pharmaceutical companies will soon be able to produce a four-part vaccine,affording even more protection.Even if the pre-selected strains are not what actually occurs in a given season,those vaccinated are still better off than those who don't get the shot.They still have a degree of protection.If they get the flu,it may not be as severe a case as if they had not been vaccinated.Consider getting this potential lifesaver when it becomes available in the autumn-especially if you are over 50 or are in other high risk groups.