Latest news with #JenBrull
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This is a bad year for flu and it's not over. What to know in Florida
If you feel like everyone is coughing and sneezing around you this winter, it may not be your imagination. Experts have said this is the worst flu season in more than a decade. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, for the week ending Feb. 8, "Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated and is higher than it has been all season." The following week, ending Feb. 15, the season has been classified as a "high severity season overall and for all age groups (children, adults, older adults) and is the first high severity season since 2017-2018." Here's what you should know. 33 million: Estimated number of illnesses 430,000: Hospitalizations 19,000: Total number of deaths so far this season. 43,367: patients admitted to hospitals with influenza during the week. 3.0%: Percentage of deaths attributed to influenza. The week ending Jan. 25, 2024, was the first time that the percent of deaths for influenza (1.7%) was higher than the percent of deaths for COVID-19. 18: Influenza pediatric deaths during the week. 86 deaths over the season. 2,486: The number of viruses report by public health laboratories for the week, with the following breakdown: 2,383: Influenza A, H1N1 and H3N2 predominant 103 Influenza B All data were provided by the CDC, with a note the numbers were preliminary and could change. Last year, the CDC estimated the flu caused a total of 470,000 hospitalizations and 28,000 deaths. CDC shows a high level of ILI, or influenza-like illness in Florida. "Individual cases are not reportable in Florida with the exception of novel flu A (a new subtype of flu A) and flu associated pediatric deaths," according to the Florida Department of Health. All outbreaks are reportable in the state. For the week of Feb. 9-15, Florida flu data showed: Predominant strain: Influenza A H1N1 Flu positivity rate: down from week prior Flu emergency department visits: down from week prior Outbreaks during the week: 12, in the following counties: Alachua: 2 Brevard: 1 Martin: 1 Okaloosa: 1 Pinellas: 2 Polk: 1 Sarasota: 1 Seminole: 1 Suwanee: 2 While flu season ends May 17, although monitoring continues year-round, according to the Florida Department of Health. "Seasons vary in timing, severity, and duration. It is not possible to predict what each flu season will be like in Florida," the agency added. Flu vaccination rates among the general population are at their lowest level in three years, according to CDC data. Among children, they're at a six-year low. 'Any family physician would tell you it is not too late to get your flu shot or your COVID booster this year,' said Jen Brull, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. 'Flu and COVID exist all year-round.' According to America's Health Rankings, 37.6 percent in Florida reported getting a flu vaccine over 12 months in 2023. That puts Florida well behind the top state, Massachusetts, with a 56.6% vaccination rate, and slightly above the bottom state, Idaho, with 32.1%. The national average is 42.9%. The flu and COVID-19 have several symptoms in common. Here's how you can tell between the two viruses: The CDC offered this advice to protect yourself from flu, or other infectious diseases: Get the flu vaccine. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Stay home if you're sick. You can go back when: Your symptoms are better AND You haven't had a fever (while not using fever-reducing medication). Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth so you don't transfer any germs from contaminated surfaces. Clean and disinfect your home frequently, especially surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs and countertops. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Contributing: Karissa Waddick, Janet Loehrke, USA Today This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Flu cases hit 15-year high. Florida numbers, symptoms
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Everyone's sick this winter. What's up with flu, norovirus, RSV and COVID?
If it seems like you and everyone around you is getting sick this winter, you're not wrong. Experts say this is the worst flu season in the U.S. in more than a decade and cases are still trending up. Flu infections have reached the highest level since the winter of 2010 and 2011 when the swine flu swept across the nation, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. The surge in flu cases also comes amid concerns about high infection rates for other viruses including RSV, COVID-19 and the gastrointestinal bug norovirus. Still, health officials say flu cases are among their top concerns right now. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began five years ago, flu-related deaths topped COVID-19-related ones this winter. Those numbers reflect just how intense this year's influenza season has been, said Jen Brull, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. 'It's not that COVID-19 is getting better, it's that influenza is getting worse,' Brull said. "It sounds like, 'Oh, good, COVID deaths are going down,' but really it's just influenza illness and deaths are going up." The CDC estimates that there have been at least 29 million flu infections so far this season, through Feb. 8, including 370,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths. While some years the flu disproportionately affects people of certain age groups, the agency described this year as a high severity season for people of all ages. For instance, the number of people who have so far visited the doctor for flu-like symptoms in February has spiked higher than during the same timeframe in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. And last year, the CDC estimated that the flu caused a total of 470,000 hospitalizations and 28,000 deaths. Brull, who also works as a family physician in Colorado, said flu cases typically swell in February just when it seems like the winter virus season is ending. This year's surge in infections and hospitalizations appears larger than in the past, suggesting that this strain of influenza virus is 'more contagious' and 'more severe' than in past years, she said. If cases remain high throughout February, as they are expected to, Brull told USA TODAY flu deaths could triple from last year. The severity of this year's flu season is driven by a combination of factors, experts suggested. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease specialist at Columbia University, said the uptick could be a result of people socializing more this year than they did in the immediate years after the pandemic. Vaccination rates might also be playing a role, Brull said. Flu vaccination rates among the general population are at their lowest level in three years, according to CDC data. Among children, they're at a six-year low. 'Any family physician would tell you it is not too late to get your flu shot or your COVID booster this year,' Brull said. 'Flu and COVID exist all year round.' This year's cold and flu season has also seen spikes in other illnesses, including COVID-19, RSV and the gastrointestinal-related norovirus. There were more norovirus cases between November and January of this year than at any point going back to at least 2012, according to CDC data. Infections related to that virus appear to be on the decline for this season. The number of people heading to the emergency room for RSV and COVID-19 infections also is decreasing across much of the country, though wastewater data collected by the CDC suggests that COVID-19 infections are still high. Griffin said the flu is 'the most common' illness infectious disease consultants are being called for in hospitals right now. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Flu cases are surging. How infection rates compare to the past.
USA Today
19-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Everyone's sick this winter. What's up with flu, norovirus, RSV and COVID?
Everyone's sick this winter. What's up with flu, norovirus, RSV and COVID? Show Caption Hide Caption Flu cases on the rise nationwide Of the 50 states, 40 are reporting high or very high levels of flu activity. Nearly released data shows the current U.S. flu season is shattering records. Fox - Milwaukee If it seems like you and everyone around you is getting sick this winter, you're not wrong. Experts say this is the worst flu season in the U.S. in more than a decade and cases are still trending up. Flu infections have reached the highest level since the winter of 2010 and 2011 when the swine flu swept across the nation, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. The surge in flu cases also comes amid concerns about high infection rates for other viruses including RSV, COVID-19 and the gastrointestinal bug norovirus. Still, health officials say flu cases are among their top concerns right now. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began five years ago, flu-related deaths topped COVID-19-related ones this winter. Those numbers reflect just how intense this year's influenza season has been, said Jen Brull, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. 'It's not that COVID-19 is getting better, it's that influenza is getting worse,' Brull said. "It sounds like, 'Oh, good, COVID deaths are going down,' but really it's just influenza illness and deaths are going up." Flu season by the numbers The CDC estimates that there have been at least 29 million flu infections so far this season, through Feb. 8, including 370,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths. While some years the flu disproportionately affects people of certain age groups, the agency described this year as a high severity season for people of all ages. For instance, the number of people who have so far visited the doctor for flu-like symptoms in February has spiked higher than during the same timeframe in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. And last year, the CDC estimated that the flu caused a total of 470,000 hospitalizations and 28,000 deaths. Brull, who also works as a family physician in Colorado, said flu cases typically swell in February just when it seems like the winter virus season is ending. This year's surge in infections and hospitalizations appears larger than in the past, suggesting that this strain of influenza virus is 'more contagious' and 'more severe' than in past years, she said. If cases remain high throughout February, as they are expected to, Brull told USA TODAY flu deaths could triple from last year. Why are flu cases surging? The severity of this year's flu season is driven by a combination of factors, experts suggested. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease specialist at Columbia University, said the uptick could be a result of people socializing more this year than they did in the immediate years after the pandemic. Vaccination rates might also be playing a role, Brull said. Flu vaccination rates among the general population are at their lowest level in three years, according to CDC data. Among children, they're at a six-year low. 'Any family physician would tell you it is not too late to get your flu shot or your COVID booster this year,' Brull said. 'Flu and COVID exist all year round.' A confluence of illnesses This year's cold and flu season has also seen spikes in other illnesses, including COVID-19, RSV and the gastrointestinal-related norovirus. There were more norovirus cases between November and January of this year than at any point going back to at least 2012, according to CDC data. Infections related to that virus appear to be on the decline for this season. The number of people heading to the emergency room for RSV and COVID-19 infections also is decreasing across much of the country, though wastewater data collected by the CDC suggests that COVID-19 infections are still high. Griffin said the flu is 'the most common' illness infectious disease consultants are being called for in hospitals right now.
