Flu season off to earliest start in years
NEW YORK (AP) - Flu season in the U.S. is off to its earliest start in nearly a decade - and it could be a bad one.
Health officials on Monday said suspected flu cases have jumped in five Southern states, and the primary strain circulating tends to make people sicker than other types. It is particularly hard on the elderly.
"It looks like it's shaping up to be a bad flu season, but only time will tell," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The good news is that the nation seems fairly well prepared, Frieden said. More than a third of Americans have been vaccinated, and the vaccine formulated for this year is well-matched to the strains of the virus seen so far, CDC officials said.
Higher-than-normal reports of flu have come in from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. An uptick like this usually doesn't happen until after Christmas. Flu-related hospitalizations are also rising earlier than usual, and there have already been two deaths in children.
It's not clear why the flu is showing up so early.
The last time a conventional flu season started this early was the winter of 2003-04, which proved to be one of the most lethal seasons in the past 35 years, with more than 48,000 deaths. The dominant type of flu back then was the same one seen this year.
One key difference between then and now: In 2003-04, the vaccine was poorly matched to the predominant flu strain. Also, there's more vaccine now, and vaccination rates have risen for the general public and for key groups such as pregnant women and health care workers.
An estimated 112 million Americans have been vaccinated so far, the CDC said. Flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone 6 months or older.
On average, about 24,000 Americans die each flu season, according to the CDC.
Flu usually peaks in midwinter. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, head and body aches and fatigue. Some people also suffer vomiting and diarrhea, and some develop pneumonia or other severe complications.
A strain of swine flu that hit in 2009 caused a wave of cases in the spring and then again in the early fall. But that was considered a unique type of flu, distinct from the conventional strains that circulate every year.
Health officials on Monday said suspected flu cases have jumped in five Southern states, and the primary strain circulating tends to make people sicker than other types. It is particularly hard on the elderly.
"It looks like it's shaping up to be a bad flu season, but only time will tell," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The good news is that the nation seems fairly well prepared, Frieden said. More than a third of Americans have been vaccinated, and the vaccine formulated for this year is well-matched to the strains of the virus seen so far, CDC officials said.
Higher-than-normal reports of flu have come in from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. An uptick like this usually doesn't happen until after Christmas. Flu-related hospitalizations are also rising earlier than usual, and there have already been two deaths in children.
It's not clear why the flu is showing up so early.
The last time a conventional flu season started this early was the winter of 2003-04, which proved to be one of the most lethal seasons in the past 35 years, with more than 48,000 deaths. The dominant type of flu back then was the same one seen this year.
One key difference between then and now: In 2003-04, the vaccine was poorly matched to the predominant flu strain. Also, there's more vaccine now, and vaccination rates have risen for the general public and for key groups such as pregnant women and health care workers.
An estimated 112 million Americans have been vaccinated so far, the CDC said. Flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone 6 months or older.
On average, about 24,000 Americans die each flu season, according to the CDC.
Flu usually peaks in midwinter. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, head and body aches and fatigue. Some people also suffer vomiting and diarrhea, and some develop pneumonia or other severe complications.
A strain of swine flu that hit in 2009 caused a wave of cases in the spring and then again in the early fall. But that was considered a unique type of flu, distinct from the conventional strains that circulate every year.
Here is a document, issued by the Dept. of Health in WA, which explains the data behind reported and tested cases of the flu in our state here:Â http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/5100/fluupdate.pdf
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If you go to this site: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/personalhealth/influenza/index.html you can get an updated version of the above document once in awhile (the document is linked on the right side of the 2nd page I linked to here).
Flu shot paranoia is off to an earlier start this year too I see. At least right now is "it could be a bad one" versus several years of it going to be of "pandemic proportion".
Wash your hands and avoid touching your face. Stay home from work if you get sick, and make sure your little germ factory children wash as well!
Best way to prevent any illness is to wash you hands. Illness's enter your body through your mucous membranes which are your eyes, nose and mouth. If you was your hands prior to touching your face or eating you greatly reduce the liklihood that you will get sick.Â
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I personally don't like the flu shots. I get them due to my work, but if it wasn't for my job I wouldn't get the shot.Â
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Its very elementary but wash your hands - it is really that simple.
I got the flu this year (surprisingly, I tested positive for A and B!) .. I first became ill the last week of September - which was a week and a half before my employer even HAD the flu vaccines available.Â
Its probably related to the Maya calendar ending.Â
 @GOCOUGS It's probably not.
An average of 24,000 Americans die from the flu each season?! Wow! I had no idea. I'm assuming that must be mostly elderly people, very young children, and people who have other health issues going on. I've certainly never known anyone who died or even who was hospitalized from the flu. I don't think I've ever even had the flu myself. I don't get sick that often and don't feel like any of the colds or stomach bugs I've had would have been labelled as the flu.
 @justathought That's nothing! Fifty-thousand die (allegedly) annually from Second Hand Smoke and no one knows any of those people either.
Yeah, I mean, I've had about three bad colds thus far this fall but I honestly don't mind colds, sore throats, runny nose, etc...when compared to the stomach flu *dun dun dun* Shoot, I'd rather be sick half the whole winter with the flu than have the stomach flu for two days. *knock on wood*
The list of states where the flu cases has jumped is interesting and very telling - these are some of the poorest and least educated states in the nation. Poverty and lack of education leads to more of the population not receiving vaccinations. It is a sad and disturbing situation.
@Tooby Roosday  Dont worry. President Obama is working on equalizing those numbers. Pretty soon we will ALL be in poverty.
 @scared_citizen  @Tooby Nothing like comments from the delusional right. Maybe if you thought about the actual positive benefits of the new healthcare law rather than the propaganda you ingest so willingly, you'd understand that it will help those in need, won't take anything away from you and actually help prevent disease and illness for everybody.
 @alaska_dreamin You're right, I don't comprehend it. And neither do you.
 @alaska_dreamin  124 STAT. 880 PUBLIC LAW 111â148âMAR. 23, 2010taxable year in which such grant is made or any subsequenttaxable year.ââ(2) RECAPTURE OF CREDITS FOR PROGRESS EXPENDITURES MADE BEFORE GRANT.âIf a credit was determined under thissection with respect to such investment for any taxable yearending before such grant is madeâââ(A) the tax imposed under subtitle A on the taxpayerfor the taxable year in which such grant is made shallbe increased by so much of such credit as was allowedunder section 38,ââ(B) the general business carryforwards under section39 shall be adjusted so as to recapture the portion of such credit which was not so allowed, andââ(C) the amount of such grant shall be determinedwithout regard to any reduction in the basis of any propertyof a character subject to an allowance for depreciationby reason of such credit.ââ(3) TREATMENT OF GRANTS.âAny such grant shall notbe includible in the gross income of the taxpayer.ââ.(b) INCLUSION ASP ART OFINVESTMENTCREDIT.âSection 46of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amendedâ(1) by adding a comma at the end of paragraph (2),(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5)and inserting ââ, andââ, and(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:ââ(6) the qualifying therapeutic discovery project credit.ââ.(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.â(1) Section 49(a)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amendedâ(A) by striking ââandââ at the end of clause (iv),(B) by striking the period at the end of clause (v)and inserting ââ, andââ, and(C) by adding at the end the following new clause:ââ(vi) the basis of any property to which paragraph(1) of section 48D(e) applies which is part of a quali-fying therapeutic discovery project under such section
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Examples galore at:http://brainshavings.com/obamacare/
 @alaska_dreamin Of course, the bill itself is a model of laser-like clarity clarity written by scribes who were chained and flogged for excessive verbiage. Indeed I have read the bill (eyes glazed over,admittedly), I daresay that without a troop of lawyers and/or clairvoyants interpreting it, it is a a disaster waiting to happen. Well, not for the lawyers, because they will be GLAD to render their assistance for $350 dollars per hour.
 @Getov Mylon To you it may be a distinction without difference, but it speaks to your lack of ability to read with true comprehension, you may know the words, but clearly you do not have a real understanding of their definition. As for my Faux News comment, it had nothing to do with trying to be funny, Fox is fake news whether you want to admit it or not.Â
 @alaska_dreamin Sorry. "Gratuitous insult." A distinction without a difference.
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The Fox (Faux-French for fake, yuk, yuk) news reference was funny back in 1998. Please get a new writer.
 @Getov Mylon Nowhere in my post did I call you a name, yes, my comment was sarcastic and heavy with insult, but no more so than many of the comments I have seen you make. Once again your reading comprehension is lacking. And the only place you are winning is in your own mind or perhaps on Faux news. Goodnight. :-)
 @alaska_dreamin ObamaTax'NCare reduces competition in the insurance field. The fewer the players, the less the competition. The remaining players will charge more because they can.Â
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The next step when this mandate fails (it will), will be to blame the "greedy" providers. Why should doctors make so much and profit at the expense of the sick? Â Of course, by that time, doctors will be going cash only and then the Government will need to step in and confiscate their labor by compulsory service to der Stat.
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But... A+ for gratuitous name calling. Always a good sign I'm winning an argument.
 @Getov Mylon The link was because I didn't think you had the brains to read the entire bill with comprehension, and the only thing I will be thanking you for is proving me right about your lack of comprehension.
@alaska_dreamin
You know what would REALLY reduce the cost of insurance?
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1) Allow interstate insurance.
2) No Government mandates in coverage.Â
3) Tax credits for the indigent and "pre-existers."
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Solved. No need to thank me.
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 @alaska_dreamin And thanks for the link to the Government website that has no vested interest in painting a rosy Big Government Scenario. I know now I can count on you to get the unbiased facts for me.
 @alaska_dreamin Yes, of course, the price of health insurance has declined dramatically already and will continue to do so under Obama TaxN' Care.
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I stand corrected.
 @justathought  @Tooby Folks like you just don't get it! If you end up in the emergency room and need treatment, hospitals are required by law to treat you if you are not covered by any insurance (you don't have to have cancer, how about a car accident?). And guess who pays for that in the long run? The people that do have insurance or can afford to pay for their helathcare end up paying because hospitals have to increase costs to cover the billions of dollars of free services they provide for people with no insurance. While you may think you are making a good choice, it is a selfish action and very irresponsible to the people that do have insurance. You also jeopardize your own health by not getting annual physicals and vaccinations. Furthermore, if you don't get vaccinations for contagious things like flu or pertussis and do contract something, you very likely can infect someone else.
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"Calculations of the cost of "uncompensated care" range from $56 billion to $73 billion annually."Â http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/prescriptions/2010/04/the_emergencyroom_gap.html
 @justathought You are choosing to see it as a fine when in fact people who have health insurance are receiving a tax credit, just like people with kids get a child tax credit and people who go are in college or technical college get an education credit to offset the costs of these things.
 @Getov Mylon Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies will have to spend 80%-85% of the premiums paid on actual health care costs, if they don't, they are required to refund money to the subscribers. So contrary to what you believe this will actually reduce the cost of insurance making it more affordable for employers and employees.
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http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/costs/value-for-premium/index.html
@Tooby Roosday Personally, I am not okay with being fined just because I choose not to have health insurance. I am okay with being turned away by the doctor or hospital because I can not pay but if I choose to take that route than that is my choice. My husband and I have chosen not to have insurance and fully realize that if we should end up with cancer or something of that nature we will not be able to afford the treatment we need in order to recover. But that does not mean that the government should be allowed to force insurance on us or force us to pay a fine instead.
 @Tooby Roosday  @scared_citizen Health insurance costs have soared. Employers are either laying off FULL-TIME workers or cutting hours to part-time in anticipation of the ill-conceived Obama Tax'NCare.
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Take this to the bank;
There are to be no more entry-level full-time jobs to be had in America.Â
If your company has around 50 employees, dust off your resume.
If it has 49 employees, don't bother applying.
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No... never mind... that's just delusional Righty stuff.
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@Tooby Roosday That's some pretty good Kool Aid you're drinking. There are many people who cant afford health care or they would have it already. You can talk about fining them for not having it but you cant get blood from a turnip. You know that they wont be turned away or asked to pay so they will get it free. When all those people get it free, you cant honestly believe that the cost to everyone who already is paying for it wont go up do you? Of course, that's only part of the problem. Obama and his Democratic friends want to increase spending and taxes so more of MY money goes to buy his votes. If you dont believe me, just wait. Its coming to a town near you....soon.
I was already sick with the flu last week. Hopefully I'm done for the year!