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Contents contributed and discussions participated by shaneep110

shaneep110

Estimating Seasonal Influenza-Associated Deaths in the United States: CDC Study Confirm... - 0 views

  • CDC estimates that from the 1976-1977 season to the 2006-2007 flu season, flu-associated deaths ranged from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. Death certificate data and weekly influenza virus surveillance information was used to estimate how many flu-related deaths occurred among people whose underlying cause of death was listed as respiratory or circulatory disease on their death certificate.
  • deaths varies from year to year because flu seasons are unpredictable and often fluctuate in length and severity.
  • the study confirmed previous findings that about 90% of influenza associated deaths occur among adults 65 years and older.
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  • MMWR study also found that during seasons when influenza A (H3N2) viruses were prominent death rates were more than double what they were during seasons when influenza A (H1N1) or influenza B viruses predominated.
  • An August 27, 2010 MMWR report entitled
  • CDC does not know exactly how many people die from seasonal flu each year. There are several reasons for this. First, states are not required to report individual seasonal flu cases or deaths of people older than 18 years of age to CDC.
  • Second, seasonal influenza is infrequently listed on death certificates of people who die from flu-related complications
  • Third, many seasonal flu-related deaths occur one or two weeks after a person’s initial infection, either because the person may develop a secondary bacterial co-infection (such as bacterial pneumonia) or because seasonal influenza can aggravate an existing chronic illness (such as congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
  • Also, most people who die from seasonal flu-related complications are not tested for flu, or they seek medical care later in their illness when seasonal influenza can no longer be detected from respiratory samples. Sensitive influenza tests are only likely to detect influenza if performed within a week after onset of illness.
  • In addition, some commonly used tests to diagnose influenza in clinical settings are not highly sensitive and can provide false negative results (i.e. they misdiagnose flu illness as not being flu.) For these reasons, many flu-related deaths may not be recorded on death certificates.
shaneep110

Key Facts about Influenza (Flu) & Flu Vaccine | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC - 2 views

  • What is influenza (also called flu)?
  • The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.
  • Signs and symptoms of flu
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  • People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:
  • Fever*
  • though this is more common in children than adults.
  • It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
  • How flu spreads
  • Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.
  • Period of contagiousness
  • You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.
  • How serious is the flu?
  • Flu is unpredictable and how severe it is can vary widely from one season to the next depending on many things, including:
  • Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. This includes older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease).Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.
  • Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
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      Not to Self: I have asthma relate that during essay.
  • Prevent seasonal flu: Get vaccinated
  • The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. There are several flu vaccine options for the 2014-2015 flu season.Traditional flu vaccines made to protect against three different flu viruses (called “trivalent” vaccines) are available. In addition, flu vaccines made to protect against four different flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines) also are available.
  • Trivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses (an H1N1 and an H3N2) and an influenza B virus.
  • While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community.
  • When to get vaccinated against seasonal flu
  • Yearly flu vaccination should begin soon after flu vaccine is available, and ideally by October. However, getting vaccinated even later can be protective, as long as flu viruses are circulating.
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