The Corona Virus has been flooding the news and getting an extreme amount of attention in the states since its outbreak in China; however, I would be more worried about his bestie the flu virus. Locally, the strains of the current flu virus that are spreading have caused more damage (at the moment) as well as towards the end of 2019, and as we have approached and entered into 2020, than the Corona Virus. The centers for disease control have officially reported this, alarming the public to where their concerns should lie. While deaths from this virus are declining and have been predicted to be declining more in 2020, the CDC credits this to vaccination availability as well as the increased statistic of the number of vaccine participants compared to past years. The vaccination quantity rung in at an amazing… 170 million compared to the 155 million in 2018/19 which assisted the CDC in coming to this conclusion. For me personally, I understand the hype behind the Corona Virus, its something new, we aren’t used to hearing about it but we are used to hearing the word “flu” now.
The “sickest” month of 2019 was February, this is where the season peaked for this specific strain of influenza. (image)
For the specific 2019/20 season of the flu, the CDC observed a decline of this virus towards the end of the month in December but a new spike of cases halfway though January in which they indicate will last until flu season comes to an end in another month or even two. As Dr. Cramer stresses, WASH YOUR HANDS. While the general person does not know or understand the meaning behind an enveloped virus, I do. So, let me hop on my soap box. (image)
Regular hand washing can make the biggest difference in the spread of this disease. The simplest task. The CDC has forecasted that the strains prominent currently will be reoccurring and peaking at the beginning of March. While this is the bad news, there is good news as well! The good news is, you can obviously start spreading washing hands awareness to prove them wrong! OR the fact that all predictions lead towards that by the end of March these specific viruses will be at their most dramatic decline. A positive statistic to this fairly negative turn-of events for the 2019/20 season is that the recorded hospitalizations is significantly lower than those of past seasons, as well as the estimates that have been made for upcoming strains and seasons. I think it is important to link this accomplishment with the previously mentioned increased awareness of vaccines as well as their growing productivity and ability. Overall the approximations of flu statistics from this season have led the CDC to conclude (all minimum values) 22,000,000 illnesses, 10,000,000 medical visits, 210,000 hospitalizations, and 12,000 deaths. The vaccine is the key to all of these statistics. Manufacturers have given producers and those studying the virus the prediction of as little as 162 million and as high 169 million prescriptions of the drug to be administered by the end of the season. This statement comes directly from the CDC describing the unique vaccine for the 2020 season: “H3N2 viruses have presented an increasing challenge for vaccine virus selection due to frequent changes in the H3N2 viruses.” . What this is saying, is essentially the flu virus is obtaining a lot of resistance. It is becoming stronger. HOWEVER…. it is important to remember, a flu shot even in its least effectiveness can still protect thousands and save millions. Get vaccinated! The vaccine is effective. In conclusion, while the flu virus is changing, growing, and becoming stronger this does not mean to halt vaccines or deem them as ill-affective. It means to press for them harder!
MicroBio 