CDC: Flu Bug could be severe this season

ATLANTA – Health officials say the flu season could be a bad one. New findings show the influenza vaccine is not as effective protecting against the virus this year.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data Thursday that reveals 52 percent of the collected flu virus samples are different than the virus strains included in this year’s vaccine.

The report indicated that vaccinated people may have a milder illness if they do become infected.

“It’s too early to say for sure that this will be a severe flu season, but Americans should be prepared,” said CDC director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.

“We can save lives with a three-pronged effort to fight the flu: vaccination, prompt treatment for people at high risk of complications, and preventive health measures, such as staying home when you’re sick, to reduce flu spread.”

So far this year, seasonal influenza A (H3N2) viruses have been the most common.

Although anyone can get the flu, some people are at higher risk of complications related to the flu, sometimes leading to hospitalization and even death. High risk individuals include pregnant women, young children (especially those younger than 6 months who cannot be vaccinated), people with chronic illnesses and/or compromised immune systems and the elderly.

Indiana Department of Health offer steps people can take to prevent the spread of influenza and other respiratory diseases like pertussis (whooping cough):

  • Clean – properly wash your hands frequently.
  • Cover – cover your cough and sneeze.
  • Contain – contain your germs by staying home (or keep children home from school) if sick.

Symptoms of the flu include:

  • Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Muscle aches
  • Sore throat