As flu season finds its stride, it's the youngsters that are being hit hardest this year, with a staggering 61 percent of total hospitalizations occurring in those aged 18 - 64. While influenza hospitalizations typically skew towards the over-65s, this year's icy winter has seen an upswing from a previous average of 35 percent in 18 - 64 year olds.
As data from the latest flu spell comes in from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are a few interesting facts to be considered. Starting in mid-December (somewhat early), it's thought that the flu season spike in mid-January. Seniors, generally a vulnerable group for contracting the flu, have had a comparatively calm flu season, while death rates in under-65s have tripled - landing at around 60 percent this season. Also of note this year is the particular strain of influenza contracted by most sufferers, the H1N1 virus, often referred to as 'swine flu.' Declared as a pandemic in 2009 after causing thousands of deaths, hysteria around the virus has now subsided, thanks to the H1N1 severity and infection rates falling into line with typical seasonal expectations. And, despite a spike in infection this year, the virus likely hasn't mutated - it's simply come into contact with younger, unvaccinated patients.
Tellingly, only around one-third of 18 - 64s received flu vaccinations by November, though the vaccine's effectiveness is thought to reduce the need for a visit to the doctor by around 60 percent. As with previous years, medical practitioners continue to espouse the benefits of receiving the flu vaccination, which includes immunization to H1N1 in the available injections and nasal delivery methods.
"Influenza can make anyone very sick, very fast and it can kill," said Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the CDC. "Vaccination every season is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself." He continued, emphasizing that this year's statistics "are painful reminders that flu can be serious for anyone, not just infants and the very old."
In the CDC's most recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), authorities underlined Frieden's warning, pointing to this season have the highest incidence of severe flu cases. "Influenza activity is likely to continue for several more weeks in the United States. Vaccination efforts should continue as long as influenza viruses are circulating," they wrote.
Recent figures also show that the obese are encountering higher infection rates this season, though unlike previous years, obesity itself has not been formally identified by the CDC as a risk factor.
