For the second time this season, the flu is increasing, with at least 41 states informing high or Very high levels of virus.
Visits to the emergency room for the virus have shot almost 30% this week compared to the previous week. The increase in cases has led to closures of temporary schools in places throughout the country, even in Texas and Tennessee.
Dr. Ratour rage, Nyu Langone Health gastroenterologist, said Thursday “CBS Mornings Plus” that recent Show data There have been more than 20 million cases, 250,000 hospitalizations and more than 11,000 deaths so far this flu season.
“These cases are amazing, but they are not different from the numbers we saw pre-pandemic,” he said, pointing out some factors behind the increase.
“We threw ourselves a little after the pandemic due to the precautions that people were taking (to stop) the propagation of the coronavirus; we also saw diminished numbers in flu, RSVThe common cold, and what turned out is a bit of immunity gap, “he said.” The company as a whole is less immune, we have slightly lower vaccination rates, so our defenses are slightly low. “
Is it too late to vaccinate against the flu?
It is not too late to vaccinate against the flu; In fact, it is encouraged, according to De Latour.
“The general rule of flu vaccination is: while the virus is circulating, it can be absolutely vaccinated,” he said.
Any person of 6 months or more can be vaccinated by the flu, according to long -standing recommendations.
How long does the contagious flu last?
In most infected people, influenza virus can be detected Starting one day before the symptoms Start, and for five to seven days after getting sick.
Flu tests at home, which are somewhat new, can help people determine what disease they have.
“The greatest usefulness of these is to help you define what you have so you can avoid propagation,” said De Latour. “I think people will be much more willing to stay at home and isolate if they have a diagnosis of flu, to avoid reaching immunocompromised people in society or at school. Therefore, it helps you with information. Information. Information. Information. Information. It is power. “
While there is no definitive treatment for flu, there is a well -known antiviral medication called Tamiflu, which has been found to reduce the duration of symptoms.
“We do not recommend it for everyone,” said De Latour. “You are technically eligible if you are 2 weeks old, but we tend to recommend to people who are at high risk: immunocompromised children, very young, pregnant women, people who have serious comorbilities such as heart disease or diabetes, and you” real at risk at risk to obtain pneumonia or get sick from the flu. “
Cases of Raras also increasing
The flu is not the only disease that arises in the country. The United States has registered a fourth consecutive week of accelerating the fault cough or the infections of the Raine cough, According to figures Published Wednesday night by centers for disease control and prevention.
Cases throughout the country have 27% more than the previous week, according to the data.
Pending cough is especially dangerous for babies and young children due to their small airways.
“The reason is called Whoooping: It is cough, cough, cough He said in “CBS Mornings Plus.” “As an adult, when you understand it, you can be sick, but you will probably be fine in terms of moving the air inside and outside your body. With babies, the respiratory tract are so small that they can really have problems breathing at all.”
An effective people’s cough vaccine is part of a combined vaccine called TDAP, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whore cough. But babies can’t get it until they are 2 months old, leaving younger babies vulnerable.
“Until then, you really trust adults being immunized,” Lapook said.
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