As per the recent reports revealed, flu season is on the ascent in Ohio, and the number of flu-related hospitalizations are essentially higher with 202 through 29th November compared to 89 last year.
There has been one affirmed flu-related pediatric death, an adolescent from southern Ohio. The 2014-15 influenza season began in October and likely will proceed into next spring.
Dr. Mary DiOrio, medical director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) said, “Flu vaccine is the most secure, and best approach to battle this season’s flu virus, so I persuade all Ohioans who have not already done so to get vaccinated today, except newborns younger than 6 months old. With influenza activity rising and family and companions gathering for the occasions, now is the best time to get inoculated to ensure defend and your friends and family.”
Influenza symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and exhaustion. The CDC prescribes that everybody 6 months and more get an influenza vaccine every year. Influenza vaccination is accessible at health care providers’ offices, local health departments and retail drug stores.
Influenza season can vary yet normally commences in December, sometimes as late as January and February, and stays 6 to 8 weeks. From 15 million to 60 million Americans may be contaminated via seasonal influenza, contingent upon the seriousness of the flare-up. More than 200,000 individuals are hospitalized every year for influenza related intricacies. Around 36,000 of them die yearly.
“The best defense against the influenza virus is vaccination,” Gunn said. “Getting immunized isn’t pretty much securing yourself. It’s likewise about securing others. If you don’t get influenza, then you can’t spread this virus.”
As per the health advisory issued this week by the CDC, there are three sorts of influenza infections — A, B and C. So far this season, the H3n2 strain of sort A has been reported frequently across the nation. Past seasons prevailed by H3n2 saw higher hospitalization and death rates.
Type A is always showing signs of change and is usually the cause behind influenza pandemics. Early every year, researchers attempt to foresee which strains are prone to circulate the next influenza season, and they incorporate three or four in the vaccination.
CDC is suggesting that clinicians prescribe one of two antiviral medications as a second line of defense immediately to patients with affirmed or suspected flu who are hospitalized, have serious ailment, or may be at higher risk for influenza intricacies. These antiviral medications are oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).
Dr. DiOrio said, “These antiviral medications can reduce the severity of the flu and prevent serious flu complications. They work best when started within two days of getting sick.”
