This season s flu versus the elderly

However, there are two groups that need special attention come flu season. Influenza is a contagious respiratory viral illness, caused by influenza a or. Across the country, flu takes toll on elderly usa today. Here s how to prevent the flu, plus information on flu treatment and diagnosis. That s in addition to local health departments and many doctors offices. In the us, flu activity peaks in january and february, but can begin as early as october and continue as late as may. Still, the cdc said there s no change to current vaccine recommendations. Seniors and young children under five years old have weakened immune systems. Seasonal flu complications for senior citizens youtube. Several other headtohead comparison studies of hd versus sd vaccines measured the.

Most seasonal influenzarelated deaths occur in adults 65 years or older. Although this estimate may seem unsatisfactory, it amounts t approximately 47% of a plausible target. S tarting to feel cold, achy, congested, and maybe even nauseous. As i note in the article on flu shots, older adults will probably get. Flu season can begin as early as september and last as late as may.

A 2018 cdc study published in clinical infectious diseases external icon looked at the percentage of the u. According to the cdc, because women who are pregnant or who have. The 20142015 season peaked at 6 percent, while the 2009 swine flu season. This shortage of one type of flu vaccine hits close to home. Your best bet is to get a flu shot early in the season so your body has a chance to build up immunity to the virus. As the cdc reported, during the 20182019 flu season 900,000 people were hospitalized, and more than 80,000 people died from flu that s a mortality rate just shy of nine percent for critical cases of the flu requiring hospitalization, and the vast majority of those deaths are among the elderly. Estimated ve against allcause mortality during 19962005 flu seasons was 4. Cdc uses the estimates of the burden of influenza in. Flu may be treated with overthecounter decongestants, pain relievers and fever reducers or prescription antiviral drugs. Shots health news overall, this season s vaccine is about 36 percent effective in blunting or preventing flu, health. Flu shots may not protect the elderly or the very young scientific.

Flu vaccines for those 65 and older are in short supply. This is especially true among seniors, who can experience hospitalization or even. Flumist is a nasal spray flu vaccine that contains a live flu virus. Laboratory confirmed flu activity as reported by clinical laboratories continues to decrease sharply and is now low. Get uptodate facts and stats on what s in store this flu season. Influenza affects millions of people in the united states each year. There s also a shortage of the fluzone highdose vaccine despite cdc announcing that. If you didnt get a flu shot yet, head to the doctor s office or pharmacy stat. Studies show that flu is easily missed by doctors in older adults.

While studies have found influenza vaccination to be a costeffective means of preventing seasonal influenza in older adults 65 years or older, they have not looked at how the vaccine s costeffectiveness may vary with the timing of vaccine administration. A flu vaccine is made to protect against the flu viruses that research and surveillance indicate will likely be most common during the season. This web page provides weekly preliminary estimates of the cumulative in season numbers of flu illnesses, medical visits and hospitalizations in the u. Eighty thousand americans died of the the flu last season, according to preliminary data from the centers for disease control and prevention that s more than the number. Immunity from vaccination fully sets in after about two weeks. Vaccine viruses used are inactivated killed or weakened and cannot cause influenza. The h3n2 virus usually causes more severe symptoms and can be particularly dangerous to the young and elderly. For the flu season that began in october 2019, as of the week that ended jan.

Why the flu vaccine is less effective in the elderly date. Nov 06, 2019 influenza and pneumonia caused around 14. And a regular flu vaccine may be less effective for an older adult. Sep 27, 2018 flu killed 80,000 people this past season and put 900,000 into the hospital, making it the worst influenza season in decades, the centers for disease control and prevention said thursday. For the past several years, cdc has estimated the numbers of influenza illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths 14. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination should continue throughout flu season, even into january or later. Amid covid19 virus fears, second wave of flu hits us children at least 92 flurelated deaths have been reported in children, a higher total at this point of the year than in any season in the. While flu seasons can vary in severity, during most seasons, people 65. Vaccines take 2 weeks to build immunity in the body. The colder weather coincides with the beginning of flu seasona time when flu. Nov 22, 2016 flu may be treated with overthecounter decongestants, pain relievers and fever reducers or prescription antiviral drugs. This year s flu season is shaping up to be possibly less severe than the 20172018 season. That s why the very young, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses are most susceptible to viral infections and.

Its october, which means its that time of the year again. The methods used to calculate the estimates have been described previously 3. While flu seasons can vary in severity, during most seasons, people 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease. In evaluating the differences between a cold versus the flu, it s important to keep in mind that a cold typically begins slowly, while the flu can hit you more suddenly. When h1n1 or influenza b strains dominated a season, the authors said both high and standarddose vaccines conferred equal amounts of protection for elderly populations. Approximately 90% of influenzarelated deaths and 5070% of influenzarelated hospitalizations occur among people in this age group. The 201718 flu season, for example, was particularly bad. Even among children, who can be especially vulnerable to respiratory illnesses, only 62% received the vaccine. Flu season deaths top 80,000 last year, cdc says cnn. That s better than earlier predictions, and good enough to prevent flu in thousands. Having fewer cases of influenza a does not have any impact on the. Jan 24, 2020 fewer than half of adults got a flu shot last season, according to the cdc. Aug 28, 2015 while the flu is certainly strong enough to keep you home from work for a week, if youre out of infancy and not yet old enough to qualify for senior discounts, you dont have to fret too much about the flu causing longterm health issues. The immune system becomes weaker with age, which makes older adults more.

This lateseason spike comes on the heels of a weaker flu season, when compared to previous years. Both methods had similar findings, which suggested that on average, about 8% of the u. Study shows hospitalization rates and risk of death from. If do you have any cold or flu symptoms this season, teladoc can help you feel better. Feb 11, 2015 estimated ve against allcause mortality during 19962005 flu seasons was 4. There is a nasal spray flu vaccine, but it s approved only for individuals ages 2. B in terms of prevalence, how contagious they are, what the vaccine covers, and severity and recovery. The best way to treat both a flu and cold is to get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and to stay as comfortable as possible by taking overthecounter pain relief for headaches, body aches, and nasal congestion for a cold.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness in older adults compared with. That said, scientists have studied seasonal flu for decades. Flu report 20192020 flu season forecasts, stats, and tips. Vaccinations for both the flu and pneumonia save lives and decrease hospitalizations, says dr. Flu season is here but vaccines for the elderly are hard to find kfdm. Will the 2020 flu season be as deadly as last year s. Although both colds and the flu may elicit similar signs and symptoms, there are major differences between the two. Like other flu vaccines, fluzone highdose is made up of the three flu strains most likely to cause the flu during the upcoming season. Madani, md, medical director of northwestern medicine immediate care.

So, despite the danger of it, we know a lot about flu viruses and what to expect each season. This can be especially true for those aged 65 years or older. This web page provides estimates on the burden of influenza in the united states for the 20182019 influenza season. Feb 15, 2018 flu vaccine is more protective of kids than older adults this year. The viruses used to make this season s vaccine doesnt protect well against the current strain. So, what do you do when it comes to the treatment of the flu vs a cold. Fluzone highdose is an injected flu vaccine formulated for people age 65 years and older. Flu season typically occurs from the month of november to march. Feb 01, 2020 people need to realize it s also the peak of the flu season, said matthew scotch, an arizona state university researcher who uses data science to track viruses. Chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and copd chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can make seniors more vulnerable to flu and serious flurelated complicationseven death.

As a caregiver, you play a critical role in the health of your loved one, so when preparing for flu season, remember. Jan 19, 2018 flu hospitalizations across the country are still increasing, and at least by one metric the season has reached a height not seen since the 200910 pandemic, according to the latest data from the centers for disease control and prevention s cdc s fluview, which tracks national influenza surveillance. Nearly 80 percent of those who died from flu were 65 or older. Why is the flu so dangerous for kids and the elderly. Last year s flu season was more severe than usual because it involved the dreaded h3n2, a strain of the influenza a virus that causes more health complications and is more difficult to prevent. Efficacy of highdose versus standarddose influenza vaccine. Here are the major differences between this year s flu and previous years, as well as how to protect yourself and what to do if you get the flu. Flu seasons that have many cases of the h3n2, such as the 20172018 flu season.

Patients have been steadily arriving in significant numbers to the mclaren oakland and mclaren clarkston emergency departments with symptoms consistent with influenza b, signaling a spread of the flu strain within the community. The symptoms of the flu are similar to those of the common cold, however, the flu is much worse. As flu season arrives, older americans face an increased risk of dying from the virus. While the flu is certainly strong enough to keep you home from work for a week, if youre out of infancy and not yet old enough to qualify for senior discounts, you dont have to fret too much about the flu causing longterm health issues. Evidence from previous influenza seasons suggests that antivirals are. Influenza and pneumonia are among the leading causes of death in the united states, accounting for. While flu seasons can vary in severity, during most seasons, people 65 years and. Jan 16, 2020 so far, the cdc has received reports of 32 flurelated deaths of children this season, compared with 16 at this point last season. Fewer than half of adults got a flu shot last season, according to the cdc.

In children, the immune response is still developing, and in senior adults, it s slowing down. Regardless of the year, however, one trend stands out. Flu season is an annually recurring time period characterized by the prevalence of outbreaks of influenza flu. The findings come in the midst of a particularly brutal flu season. During flu season, you may see stories about seemingly healthy people who lost. The 20192020 flu vaccine has been updated from last season s vaccine to better match circulating viruses. So far, the cdc has received reports of 32 flurelated deaths of children this season, compared with 16 at this point last season. Cdc recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine each year by the end of october. Around this time every year, the flu virus infects up to.

The season occurs during the cold half of the year in each hemisphere. Because of their increased risk, older adults are a priority group for. An estimated 80,000 americans died of flu and its complications last winter. As you get older, your immune system typically gets weakerregardless of your current health. This flu season is the worst in nearly a decade the new. Mar, 2020 much of the seasonality to flu is also driven by human behavior in winter versus summer, but i think the idea that there will be a seasonal aspect to covid19 is more of a hope than an expectation. Will this season s flu vaccine be a good match for circulating viruses. Since this disease is caused by a new virus, people do not have immunity to it, and a vaccine may be many months away.

From the end of 2011 to 2019, the flu seasons in the united states have. Relative effectiveness of influenza vaccines among the united. Types of flu shots for older adults the seasonal flu shot is approved for most people ages 6. There s also a highdose flu shot for people age 65 and older, introduced in 2010, and a tinyneedle version rolled out in 2011 that injects the active ingredient just under the skin an appealing alternative for people who dread shots. During flu season, having a scratchy throat, body aches, or fatigue can signal the.

Shay notes that while this estimate is reasonable, some flu seasons are worse than others, so the risk may be higher than 4 percent in some. Since fluassociated deaths in children became a nationally notifiable condition in 2004, the total number of fluassociated deaths among children during one season has ranged from 37 during the 20112012 season to 186 during the 201718 season, as of april 19, 2019. A vaccine is available and effective to prevent some of the most dangerous types or to reduce the severity of the flu. In those seasons hospitalizations for elderly patients for ili were higher than average. Children, too, need an equal amount of care to make sure they stay healthy and happy. The flu ranges from being mild to severe and can cause severe complications for children, seniors, and people with other health conditions. Knowing these differences may help you avoid a doctor s appointment and the potential for unnecessary medications and added costs. There were 6 influenza vaccines available in the united states for use among the elderly during this season. Why the flu vaccine is less effective in the elderly. It s not possible to predict with certainty if a flu vaccine will be a good match for circulating flu viruses. Call ahead to er if symptoms are severe or call 911 if an emergency.

Flu hospitalizations climb as us season hits new heights cidrap. Influenza activity can sometimes be predicted and even tracked geographically. With your body s defense system on the decline, your risk for catching the flu and developing flurelated complications increases. Influenza seasonal flu information for the elderly. Highdose flu shots are a more effective option for the elderly. Sep 26, 2018 the 20172018 flu season was one of the deadliest in decades according to the cdc. The cdc estimates that last year s flu season was responsible for 36,400 to 61,200 flurelated deaths. Flu can spike heart attack risk in elderly, study finds. Doctors and scientists are working on estimating the mortality rate of covid19, but at present. It s flu season and seniors need utmost care at this time of year. It was driven by a kind of flu that tends to put more people in the hospital and cause more deaths. Overall, this season s vaccine is about 36 percent effective in blunting or preventing flu, health officials say.

Influenza, or flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread by coughs and sneezes of an infected person. While a cold may slow you down, the flu may not even allow you to get out of bed. What you should know this season influenza, or the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by one of the influenza viruses. Jan 15, 2020 the flu vaccine for the 20192020 season has been formulated to protect against both h1n1 and h3n2, the two strains that dominated last year s flu season, as well as other strains that are. The best way to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications is with a flu vaccine. Jan 30, 2020 in general, the flu can make you sick more suddenly, and its symptoms are typically more severe, caudle says. Amid covid19 virus fears, second wave of flu hits us. Because of agerelated changes in their immune systems, people 65 years and older.

Vaccine viruses used are inactivated killed or weakened and. Here s what you need to know about flu shots for seniors, including the types and reasons to get one. Influenza and pneumonia are among the leading causes of. For the elderly, the symptoms may be much more intense and last longer as the agerelated decline in immunity, chronic medication and diseases hampers the body s ability to overcome the influenza virus. Background as compared with a standarddose vaccine, a highdose, trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine iiv3hd improves antibody responses to influenza among adults 65 years of age or older. Older adults and people with chronic diseases are at the greatest risk of problems associated with seasonal flu. Thus, we classified each week of the influenza season as a high or low influenza circulation period within each. Because of agerelated changes in their immune systems, people 65 years and older may not respond as well to vaccination as younger people. Pneumonia can result in hospitalization, so it s important to practice flu prevention. That season ended with 56,000 flurelated deaths, 710,000 people hospitalized and 16 million who sought care from a clinician or hospital.