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The influenza seasons are notoriously unpredictable, but there are already indications that the coming season could be particularly difficult.
The influenza season in the southern hemisphere may indicate what is going to happen in the northern hemisphere, and the recent influenza season in Australia, where the winter has just come to an end , arrived early and with revenge. A particularly virulent influenza strain, H3N2, was dominant.
In addition, one infant flu death has already been reported in the United States – a 4-year-old child in California who had underlying health problems.
"We should never forget that the flu is still killing," said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, public health officer for Riverside County, California, in a press release announcing the death.
"A death so early in the flu season suggests that this year could be worse than usual," warned Kaiser.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there have been 37 to 43 million cases of influenza in the United States last year and 36,400 to 61,200 influenza-related deaths.
The flu season of last year was held from October 1, 2018 to May 4.
Is it too early to get the flu shot?
Doctors say that people should get the flu shot now, and certainly before Thanksgiving.
"The problem is that some people who are likely to be vaccinated will not be vaccinated later," said Dr. Robert Atmar, professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
"The most important thing is that people get vaccinated against the flu and before the beginning of the epidemic," he said.
Most healthy people who get vaccinated in September can expect protection during the spring. But older adults may want to schedule their vaccination for October.
"There is concern that some seniors may have their immune systems weaken simply because their immune systems are weaker and less robust," said Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at the Canadian Medical Center. Vanderbilt University.
Influenza activity usually increases in October and November, peaks around February and may last until spring. The CDC recommends that anyone over the age of 6 months be vaccinated against the flu, especially pregnant women.
Pregnant women who contract the flu usually have similar complications to those who are over 65 years old. The vaccine provides protection for both the woman and her unborn baby.
It takes about two weeks to develop immunity to the flu after receiving the vaccine.
But even in this case, the influenza vaccine provides only partial protection. Last year, the vaccine did not work well: its overall effectiveness was 29%.
Physicians attributed a second wave of influenza activity to the poor match that was caused by the H3N2 virus late in the season.
Why should I get the flu shot even if it does not work well?
There is ample evidence that the vaccine can lessen the severity of the flu if you get sick. Doctors say that people who get vaccinated do not usually feel so sick if they get the flu and are less likely to develop complications of the virus, including pneumonia and death.
"Partial protection is often overlooked, and we should not forget it," Schaffner said. "Because it's these complications that make you suffer."
In addition, a study published last year revealed that the risk of heart attack or stroke increased from one month to the next after the diagnosis of influenza. The mechanism is probably that of inflammation and stress in the body caused by the virus.
A specific call against Fluzone Flu may be preferable for the elderly. "For people over 65, there is evidence that the high dose vaccine will provide a higher dose than a standard dose vaccine," Atmar said.
Fluzone and the standard-dose vaccines available this year include protection against several influenza strains, including H1N1 and H3N2.
FluMist, the popular nasal spray for children and anyone who is opposed to needles, is also back this year.
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