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Nearly all U.S. states now reporting widespread flu: CDC | CTV News

Nearly all U.S. states now reporting widespread flu: CDC

Mike Stobbe, The Associated Press
Published Friday, January 11, 2013 2:11PM EST
Last Updated Friday, January 11, 2013 9:40PM EST

The latest numbers, however, hint that the flu season may already have peaked in some spots, like in the South. Still, officials there and in other places are bracing for more sickness.

"Everybody's been sick. It's miserable," said Ritter Hoy, a spokeswoman for the 17,000-student school.

Despite the early start, health officials say it's not too late to get a flu shot. The vaccine is considered a good -- though not perfect -- protection against getting really sick from the flu.

Recent flu reports included holiday weeks when some doctor's offices were closed, so it will probably take a couple more weeks to get a better picture, CDC officials said Friday. Experts say so far say the season looks moderate.

"Only time will tell how moderate or severe this flu season will be," CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said Friday in a teleconference with reporters.

Flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone 6 months or older. Since the swine flu epidemic in 2009, vaccination rates have increased in the U.S., but more than half of Americans haven't gotten this year's vaccine.

To find a shot, "you may have to call a couple places," said Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, who tracks the flu in Iowa.

During her commute from Edgewater, N.J., by ferry and bus, "I have people coughing in my face," she said. "I didn't want to risk it this year."

The vaccine is no guarantee, though, that you won't get sick. On Friday, CDC officials said a recent study of more than 1,100 people has concluded the current flu vaccine is 62 per cent effective. That means the average vaccinated person is 62 per cent less likely to get a case of flu that sends them to the doctor, compared to people who don't get the vaccine. That's in line with other years.

The vaccine is reformulated annually, and this year's is a good match to the viruses going around.

The flu's early arrival coincided with spikes in flu-like illnesses caused by other bugs, including a new norovirus that causes vomiting and diarrhea, or what is commonly known as "stomach flu." Those illnesses likely are part of the heavy traffic in hospital and clinic waiting rooms, CDC officials said.

Some shortages have been reported for children's liquid Tamiflu, a prescription medicine used to treat flu. But health officials say adult Tamiflu pills are available, and pharmacists can convert those to doses for children.
 Here Damien Dancy puts masks on his children Damaya, 3, left, and Damien, 7, at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in Virginia Beach, Va., on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. (The Virginian-Pilot, Stephen M. Katz)




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