(Nexstar) – Influenza cases continue to reach viruses that have reached the US, which have not been seen in the past 15 years. The heart of disease control and prevention.
One indicator of flu activity is the percentage of doctors' office visits due to flu-like symptoms. Last week, the numbers were clearly higher than the peak winter flu season in 2009-2010 when the swine flu pandemic hit the country.dataPosted on Friday morning by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Of course, other viral infections can be mistaken for influenza. However, hospital data shows that Covid-19 appears to be on the decline.Available dataIt also suggests that another respiratory disease, RSV, is declining nationwide.
The flu has forced schools to close in some states. The Godley Independent School District, a 3,200-student system near Fort Worth, Texas, was closed for three days after 650 students and 60 staff left Tuesday.
District spokesman Jeff Meadowl said the majority of the diseases there were influenza, and there were several streptococci. He called it the worst flu season he remembers.
“If you have the flu, you're always staying home from work or school, staying home 24 hours a day (without reducing your fever) and keeping yourself isolated from your family from your family until you're not experiencing a fever and your symptoms begin to improve. “Dr. Donald Dunford, a Cleveland Clinic infectious disease expert, told Nexter. “Even so, I'm a masking advocate a few days after you've been quarantined.”
So far, the CDC estimates that at least 24 million people have had flu illnesses, including at least 57 children, 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths. Traditionally, the flu season peaks around February.
Overall, 43 states reported high or very high flu activity last week. The flu was the most intense in the south, southwest and western states.
Doctors at Cleveland Clinic recommend that you:
- Proper hand washing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Avoid people who are sick.
- If you cannot avoid sick people, such as caring for sick children, wear a mask in situations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
