Each flu season seems to have some kind of surprise in store for parents and pediatricians.
Over the last few years, we have had to deal with the flu shot shortages and flu shot delays, which left many kids without a flu shot.
Early on in this year's flu season, the biggest surprise seemed to be that there were plenty of flu shots to go around for everyone that wanted one. An even bigger surprise now may be that those flu shots aren't providing as good of protection against the flu viruses as we have come to expect because of a poor match between the flu virus strains in the vaccine and the flu virus strains that are going around and making people sick.
Another surprise, although some experts were expecting this, is that some flu virus strains are becoming resistant to the flu medicine Tamiflu. Although this isn't a problem yet, it could be in years to come if more flu virus strains become resistant to Tamiflu, as it may mean that we have fewer medications to fight and prevent the flu.
There has been one more big surprise this flu season - a new recommendation to expand that ages that kids get flu shots - so that all kids from age 6 months to 18 years should get a flu shot each year. This isn't a formal recommendation yet, but could be later this year.
This Year's Flu Shot
The big question each year is often whether or not the flu shot is even working. Remember that three strains of the flu are typically chosen each year in advance and are included in that year's flu vaccine. If they don't match the flu strains that are going around that year, the flu shot may be less effective at preventing people from getting sick with the flu.
Unfortunately, while this year's flu shot does match the H1N1 flu strains that are going around, it is not a very good match for the H3N2 and B flu virus strains that are causing people to get sick. Still, the CDC reports that "antibodies made in response to vaccination with one strain of influenza viruses can provide protection against different, but related strains." While this protection may not provide perfect protection from these mismatched flu strains, it might lead to a more mild case of the flu.
Flu Season Peak?
Flu season activity continued to decrease this week, with flu season likely already peaking this year. Although the worst of this year's flu season is behind us, remember that we will likely continue to see some flu cases for another month or two, as flu season typically lingers into April and May in most years.
Whether or not you got a flu shot, since it isn't 100% effective, you should likely take some steps to help avoid the flu to keep you and your family from getting sick with the flu. This can include frequently washing your hands, avoiding close contact with people who are sick with the flu, and disinfecting contaminated surfaces, including toys and kitchen counter-tops. A flu medication, such as Tamiflu and Relenza can also work as a preventative if you take them after being exposed to someone with the flu.
Flu Activity Reports
As of late March, flu activity continues to decrease as flu season has likely already peaked this year.
Seven states, including Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, are still reporting widespread flu activity.
Twenty-seven states, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming, are reporting regional flu activity.
Eleven states, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin, are reporting local flu activity.
And five states, Arkansas, Delaware, Mississippi, Missouri, and West Virginia, and the the District of Columbia, are reporting sporadic flu activity.
Remember that when it comes to flu activity reports, widespread > regional > local > sporadic > no activity.
Knowing where there is flu activity can be helpful, because if you have classic flu symptoms in an area where there are a lot of flu infections, especially widespread flu infections, then you likely have the flu and should see your doctor right away to see if you are a candidate for one of the flu medications, such as Tamiflu or Relenza.
Flu Deaths
Each year, the flu is reported to be responsible for almost 36,000 deaths, including about 46 to 74 deaths in children. This year, 59 deaths in children have already been reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Unfortunately, this is not unusual in a typical flu season.
Sources:
Prevention & Control of Influenza - Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR 2007 Jul 13;56(RR06):1-54.
MMWR Early Release—Update: Influenza Activity—United States, September 30, 2007—February 9, 2008 - posted Feb 15
CDC. Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine
US Flu Activity Reports.
CDC. Questions & Answers. The 2007-2008 Flu Season
