Nothing is worse than getting the flu at college – being forced to miss class and cancel meetings can be a complete nightmare.
Maybe you have already caught the flu or perhaps you are see it creeping from room to room in your house. Either way, it does seem like the flu is worse than usual, doesn’t it?
According to the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, the 2017-2018 seasonal influenza virus is especially virulent and lethal.
Reports from the CDC shows that nearly 10 percent of deaths in the United States last week can be attributed to flu-related complications. Additionally, nearly eight percent of outpatient doctor visits this week were for Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI’s), a statistic rivaled only by the H1N1 virus in October of 2009 – and the trend appears to still be rising.
Forty-three states (as well as New York City, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico) are experiencing high levels of ILI activity and at the beginning of this year, the CDC declared that the influenza was “widespread” (defined as “outbreaks of influenza or ILIs … in at least half the regions of the state”) across the continental United States, a statement that has not been made in thirteen years.
What makes this season especially bad? One major issue is the effectiveness of the vaccine. The genetic makeup of the influenza virus is constantly changing and mutating. Health researchers have to guess which strains of the virus will be present in the upcoming season.
Each season’s vaccine typically protects against H1N1 (which was responsible for most of the devastating 2009-2010 flu season), an H3 strain, and one or two B-virus strains.
This season’s vaccine protects against about 30 percent of the H3 strains present this year, and a newly mutated H1N1 virus is causing issues in certain parts of the country.
Despite the lower effectiveness of this season’s vaccine, it is still important to receive the vaccine now as the flu season has yet to hit its peak.
Additionally, between 67 to 83 percent of flu illnesses (depending on the age group) this season has been caused by the Influenza A, H3 virus. Most of the H3 flu viruses are due to the H3N2 strain, a highly unpredictable type of the virus that can mutate rapidly.
This strain is also less common. People have had little to no exposure to H3N2 as compared to other strains and this makes it more damaging. Human immune systems have a “disease memory,” which allow your body to more effectively attack bacteria and viruses that have previously caused an infection.
Without a disease memory of H3N2, your immune system has a difficult time trying to rid your body of the virus.
It is essential to keep yourself healthy this flu season. If you haven’t already, get your flu shot. (They are still being offered at the Schacht Center!) Keep yourself hydrated and well-rested, and do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if you feel that you may need an anti-viral prescription.
Stay healthy, Smith!
