How compares flu cases and hospital stays this 12 months with previous years?
From the top of January to February 2025, flu -roadatations Were higher than some other week Since before 2009.
Most flu cases seem to return from influenza -a -a tribes, with a split between influenza a/h3n2 and influenza a/h1n1. These are Two different subtypes of influenza a virus.
The researchers consider that historical seasons which might be dominated by influenza A/H3N2 infections are inclined to be more seriousBut infections of influenza a/h1n1 can still be very difficult.
This 12 months's season reached “late” in comparison with the last three flu seasons that reached its peak within the early or end of December.
Unfortunately, there have been also quite a lot of deaths through flu this season. Since January 1, 2025 alone, over 4,000 people, including 68 children, died From flu. While the variety of deaths doesn’t mark a record number, this shows that flu will also be a serious illness in children.
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Why are flu cases so high this 12 months?
There are quite a lot of aspects for a difficult season, including poor protection of the community against low immunization rates and low natural immunity, virus properties, vaccine effectiveness and increased human contact through travel, paperwork or schools.
Unfortunately, the flu kilos have decreased because the Covid 19 pandemic. At the top of the flu period 2023-24 ,, 9.2 million fewer doses were administered in pharmacies and doctors in comparison with a median 12 months before pandemic.
In addition, fewer and fewer doses of flu vaccination since 2022 were distributed From private manufacturers. Historically, the flu kilos for adults were within the range of 30% to 60%. much lower than the advisable 70%. Before the Covid 19 pandemic, the flu-pound rates Every 12 months about 1% to 2%.
The flu-pound rates fell after the Covid 19 pandemic, especially in groups with higher risk. Flu vaccination In children has dropped From 59% within the period 2019-20 to 46% in 2024-25. In adults from the age of 65, the group with the best risk of hospital stays and death, the flu vaccination rates went back From 52% within the period 2019-20 to 43% in 2024-25.
Lower vaccination rates mean that a better a part of the population is just not protected by vaccines. Data show that vaccination reduces the danger of a hospital stay of the flu. Even if a vaccinated person is infected, this might be Less probability experience serious diseases. As a result, low vaccination rates could contribute to a better severity of the flu this season.
However, low vaccination rates are probably not the one reason for the high flu rates this season. In earlier difficult seasons, genetic changes within the viruses have made it higher to contaminate people and to guide to serious illnesses more often.
The effectiveness of the annual flu vaccines varies depending on the agreement with the vaccine virus. The effectiveness of vaccines ranges from 19% to 60% in a certain season. In the flu season 2023-24, the vaccine was 42% effective.
Similarly, data from the USA show in early 2024-25 that the vaccine was 41% to 55% effective Against flu demonstration in adults and 63% to 78% effective Against the flu areas in children.
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How do the seasonal flu symptoms differ from Covid-19 and other diseases?
It is vital to keep in mind that people often incorrectly confer with “flu” once they have a chilly. The flu is barely attributable to the influenza virus, which tends to be often more serious than colds And More often causes fever.
Many of the signs and symptoms for flu, covid-19 and other respiratory viruses are the identical And can range from slight cold -like symptoms to pneumonia and shortness of breath. Frequent flu symptoms are fever, cough and fatigue and also can include shortness of breath, sore throat, nasal pollution, muscle pain and headache.
Some symptoms, resembling changes or lack of taste and odors, are More often for covid-19. The symptoms only start about roughly for Covid-19 and the flu one to 4 days after the infectionAnd the symptoms appear to take longer for Covid-19.
The only technique to know which virus causes an infection is to check. This might be done with a fast test, Some of them at the moment are testing together for flu and Covid-19Or by in search of a health care provider and being tested with a nose smear. Prescription antiviral drugs for the treatment of flu and covid-19 can be found. However, they should be taken near the time when the symptoms begin.
Some persons are at High risk of severe flu And Covid-19, like those that are immunosuppressed, have diabetes or chronic heart or lung diseases. In these cases, it is crucial to search for early care and treatment from a health care provider. Some doctors are also prescribed via telemedicine calls that may help reduce the stress on the medical practices, urgent care centers and emergency rooms when the infection rates are high.
What can people do now to maintain themselves away from the flu?
There are quite a lot of ways of how people can reduce or spread their risk of flu. Since the flu season continues to be in progress, it is just not too late to get a flu vaccine. Even in seasons during which the effectiveness of the vaccine is low, it probably offers higher protection in comparison with the remaining ones.
Hand washing And disinfectant surfaces with high motion may help reduce contact with the flu virus. If you make an effort to avoid contact with sick people, you can too help, including wearing a mask in health facilities.
Finally, remember to deal with yourself. Train, eat healthy and get enough sleep Everyone wears a healthy immune system that may help reduce the probabilities of infections.
Those who were diagnosed with flu or with flu -like symptoms should avoid contact with other people, especially in overcrowded rooms. Covering cough and sneezing may help reduce the spread of the viruses.
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