US flu season most intense in at least 15 years
The U.S. winter virus season is in full force, and by one measure is the most intense in 15 years.
One indicator of flu activity is the percentage of doctor's office visits driven by flu-like symptoms. Last week, that number was clearly higher than the peak of any winter flu season since 2009-10, according to data posted Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Of course, other viral infections can be mistaken for flu. But COVID-19 appears to be on the decline, according to hospital data and CDC modeling projections. Available data also suggests another respiratory illness, RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, has been fading nationally.
The flu has forced schools to shut down in some states. The Godley Independent School District, a 3,200-student system near Fort Worth, Texas, last week closed for three days after 650 students and 60 staff were out Tuesday.
Jeff Meador, a district spokesman, said most illnesses there have been flu, plus some strep throat. He called it the worst flu season he could remember.
So far this season, the CDC estimates, there have been at least 24 million flu illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths — including at least 57 children.
Traditionally, flu season peaks around February.
Overall, 43 states reported high or very high flu activity last week. Flu was most intense in the South, Southwest and Western states.
In Rochester, New York, the flu season has been intense but not necessarily worse than at the peak of other years, said Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
She said there is a lot of flu, but there is also still a lot of RSV and a surprising number of babies with COVID-19.
"All of the respiratory illnesses are around, with a vengeance," Murray added.
The CDC declined to let an Associated Press reporter speak to an agency flu expert about recent trends. The Trump administration ordered a temporary "pause" on health agency communications and has continued to refuse interview requests that were routinely granted in the past.
U.S. health officials recommend that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccination.
About 44% of adults got flu shots this winter, the same as last winter. But coverage of children is down, at about 45% this winter. It's usually around 50%, according to CDC data.
About 23% of U.S. adults were up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations as of late January, up from about 20% at the same point in time the year before. COVID-19 vaccination rates for kids were about the same, at around 12%.
The government has not yet reported its estimates of how well this season's flu vaccine is working.
Testing results from patients indicate that two strains of seasonal flu are causing the most illnesses: type A H1N1 and H3N2. Health officials are closely watching a third strain — H5N1 bird flu — that has sickened tens of millions of animals and is known to have infected 67 people in the U.S.
To avoid seasonal viruses, doctors say you should avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth because germs can spread that way. You should also wash your hands with soap and water, clean frequently touched surfaces, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
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The AP is solely responsible for all content. __________________________________________________ Words in This Story teenager -n. someone who is between 13 and 19 years old familiar -adj. frequently seen or experienced diagnose -v. to recognize a disease or condition in clinic -n. a place for the treatment of people needing medical help who do not stay overnight assessment -n. the action or an instance of making a judgment about something psychologist -n. a person who specializes in the study of mind and behavior or in the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders focus -v. to cause to be concentrated prescribe -v. to order or direct the use of something as a remedy variable -adj. able or likely to change : variability -n. strict -adj. completely correct : exact : precise
