In the lead-up to the New Year, the number of cases of the new influenza strain “Super Flu” continues to increase in the United States, reaching the highest levels in some areas in 25 years. Health officials indicate that the situation may worsen further.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of the 52nd week ending on December 27th last year, the most reported virus this flu season has been the influenza virus. Among the influenza virus strains reported by public health laboratories in the U.S., 91.2% are Type A influenza virus H3N2, with 8.8% being Type A influenza virus H1N1. Genetic characteristic analysis of the H3N2 influenza virus samples collected earlier showed that 90.5% belong to the K-subtype branch.
The CDC projects that by the end of this flu season in February, there will be at least 11 million infections, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths. According to the latest update released on Monday by the CDC, flu virus activity in 45 states across the nation is rated as “high” or “very high,” and the flu outbreak has yet to peak.
Last flu season saw the highest flu hospitalization rate since the 2010-2011 season, resulting in 288 child fatalities. Nine cases of child flu-related deaths have already been reported this season.
Currently, the most severely affected regions by the flu outbreak in the U.S. include the Northeast, East Coast, Midwest, Central West, and North Central areas. As of December 27th, only Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia have reported relatively better conditions. In New York State, within a week ending on January 2nd, the flu hospitalization rate hit a new high with a 33% surge in positive cases, 8% of patients seeking medical care experiencing sore throats and severe coughs, and the number of flu patients visiting the emergency room hitting a 10-year peak.
In California, the latest report from the health department indicates that seasonal flu activity is intensifying in various regions and hospitalization rates are on the rise. Authorities recommend getting vaccinated for protection while also warning of the increased transmission of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
However, experts point out that this year’s flu strain, a subtype variant of H3N2, does not match the existing vaccine.
Federal health officials announced this week that they no longer recommend flu vaccinations for American children. The decision of whether to get vaccinated will now be left to parents, patients, and doctors to decide. The health department’s decision to halt some vaccinations for children cites the words of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, stating that “Vaccines are not 100% risk-free or 100% effective.”
The decision highlights that the primary aim of children receiving flu vaccinations is to reduce hospitalization and mortality rates, decrease transmission to the elderly, but currently, there is no randomized controlled trial to prove these benefits. Despite evidence showing the impact of the flu on child hospitalizations and deaths, there is currently a lack of convincing evidence to suggest that the vaccine can reduce mortality rates, hospitalization rates, severe complications, or community transmission of the flu.
Moreover, the decision points out that flu vaccination is not without risks. Research found a link between children receiving vaccines during the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic and narcolepsy.
The independent organization Cochrane, providing high-quality health evidence, also notes that the U.S. administers inactivated vaccines to children aged six months and above but lacks safety-related data and manufacturers refuse to disclose safety outcome data from trials conducted with toddlers.
Patients infected with the flu may experience symptoms such as fever and chills, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue, weakness, unsteady gait, etc. Children may also experience dehydration, rapid breathing, and cyanosis.
Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of preventing the flu through various practices including diet, exercise, sleep, and emotional well-being. Dr. Ma Kui from the Bay Area in California recommends:
– Pay attention to dietary maintenance; consume less spicy food and more lamb soup, radish soup, chicken soup, etc., to strengthen the body and immune system, allowing for quicker recovery even if infected with the flu.
– Brew dried tangerine peel and chrysanthemum tea to help prevent colds. Apples and pears can be cooked in soup with added sugar (women can use brown sugar) or ginger slices for a preventive effect.
– Additionally, he suggests engaging in proper exercise to enhance the body’s yang energy and resistance, maintaining a cheerful mood, and getting sufficient sleep, all aiding in flu prevention or recovery.