Forty-five states are reporting this year’s Influenza rates as “high” or “very high”. There has been an estimated number of over 15 million cases, 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths due to Influenza.
In addition, outpatients with flu-like symptoms reached an all-time high of 8.2% on the week of Dec. 27 since the first recorded season of flu by the CDC during the 1997-1998 season.
A large percentage of flu cases have been caused by a strain of Influenza A(H3N2). The high rates and early season are due to subclade K, the new variant discovered through genetic testing.
The CDC states that Influenza is a contagious respiratory virus that can range from mild to severe, displaying common symptoms of a fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches and fatigue. However, the new variant, subclade K, has been reported to have symptoms of higher and longer-lasting fevers compared to previous strains.
Allison Wynes is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner at the University of Iowa Hospital. She currently works in the transplant division, but previously worked in the medical ICU for 17 years.
“Since our bodies haven’t seen the new strain before, there is going to be a stronger reaction to it,” Wynes said. “And sometimes certain strains are harder on the body than others.”
One group that is more susceptible to the virus is immunocompromised people. Wynes works with immunocompromised patients, who must be treated with extra care during rising flu rates.
“We have to keep them immunosuppressed so they don’t reject whatever organ they’ve got. They are more susceptible to getting any sort of virus or infection, so we definitely recommend that they all get their flu shots as well as multiple other immunizations,” Wynes said.
Across the nation, scientists are questioning the overall effectiveness of the vaccine against the new variant. New variants don’t always align with the typical vaccine antibodies due to the genetic drift, a shift in the allele frequency.
“Vaccines are created several months ahead of time to prepare for the season, and we do our best to predict what flu strain is going to be circulating the most based on where it’s circulating in other parts of the world. However, given the international travel and interconnectedness of the world, it’s harder and harder to predict what strain that’s going to be,” Wynes said.
However, research reported from a University of Pennsylvania preprint, a research paper that has yet to be peer-reviewed, has suggested that the vaccine is effective against the new variant, according to STAT news.
“[This flu shot] will lessen the severity of the illness. Having any immunity to any strain of influenza will help your body recognize that this is a strain of the flu, so your fevers may not be as high, and your body aches may not be as bad,” Wynes said.
Reported Influenza vaccinations this year measure up to roughly 130 million, covering less than 40% of the United States population, despite the research displaying the reduction of contracting the illness and the severity. However, the vaccine is still available to receive.
“The vaccine is absolutely still worth getting to cover the rest of the flu season. After you receive it, it takes two weeks for your immunity to fully develop; however, some flu seasons can go as long as April or May, and there is always concern for a second wave,” Wynes said.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, told CBS there is “no scientific evidence that the flu vaccine prevents serious illness, hospitalizations or death in children,” his claim going directly against the CDC and years of research. Additionally, doctors across the country have refuted his claim and even called it “dangerous.”
“I would encourage people to talk to their doctors or providers and follow the national guidelines that these medical societies are making, which have been made by trained professionals and scientists,” Wynes said. “Most medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, are still recommending vaccines; they’re actually hoping to increase efforts to get kids vaccinated.”
This Influenza season is hitting children especially hard, and it is showing in schools. Schools in Iowa have had abnormally high absence rates due to the flu, even causing some schools to cancel the day, including Laurens-Marathon Elementary in Iowa.
Jerenia Hanson, the attendance secretary at Liberty High School, has noticed a high number of absences.
“Through this semester alone, there have definitely been more flu symptoms reported,” Hanson said. “I would say roughly 60% of the absences currently are related to the flu.”
As rising influenza rates continue to affect our society, doctors recommend treating the virus with caution.
“Wash your hands. Use soap and water whenever able; otherwise, keep some hand sanitizer with you. Don’t share drinks. Don’t share chapsticks with your friends. Be smart. If you don’t feel good, stay home, so you’re not spreading it to other people,” Wynes said.
