Flu Season Worsening
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed that the flu season has spiked with cases being widely reported in 35 of the 50 United States. This is a big jump from the 25 states initially reporting flu cases. However, it should be cautioned that thus far it has been normal. That is not to say it won’t become severe either. For now, the CDC confirmed that the US in the midst of the flu season.
The 2012-2013 flu season was a particularly severe one and thus far the current season has not risen to that level. However, it is now reported that 4% of doctor visits are concerning the flu. Put another way, 1 in 25 visitors at the doctor’s office are there to be examined for the flu.
North Carolina has been hit particularly hard with the flu and 21 deaths have been attributed to it thus far. In most cases, the victims were people with compromised immune systems or underlying health problems. In the Washington State, 11 flu-related deaths have been reported. Last season, Washington experienced a total of 54 deaths to influenza. Health officials are reporting that it is still possible to get the influenza vaccine and have it be effective against the flu.
Source:
Flu season 2014 worsens as illness spreads to at least 35 states, CDC says
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/01/11/flu-season-worsens-as-illness-spreads-to-at-least-35-states-cdc-says/
