Flu Season Starts Softly in the USA

In North America, the influenza virus is now being monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

And this CDC report is good news. 

In the United States, all flu markers were below the forecast. Only 2.7 percent of tested specimens tested were positive for flu.

Nationwide, only 1.4% of patient visits to hospitals were reported through the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) were due to influenza-like illness.

The influenza A virus is the most reported with 86.1% was. The leading subtype, of influenza A, 79% was the H3 viruses.

During May 21 to October 7, 2017, 1,692 influenza positive specimens were collected and reported by public health laboratories in the United States.

The CDC genetically characterized 382 influenza viruses; 51 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 230 influenza A(H3N2), and 101 influenza B viruses.

The CDC characterizes influenza viruses through one or more tests including genomic sequencing, hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and/or neutralization assays. For nearly all influenza-positive surveillance samples received at CDC, next-generation sequencing is performed to determine the genetic identity of circulating influenza viruses.

CDC officials are closely watching H3N2 viruses, especially since the World Health Organization advisors recommend a different H3N2 component for the Southern Hemisphere, to better match circulating seasonal flu viruses.

In terms of geographic spread, only Colorado and South Carolina reported local flu activity. No activity was reported by 10 states.

Additionally, the CDC recommends pregnant women get a flu vaccine during any trimester of their pregnancy.

Doctors, nurses and pharmacists should use their clinical judgement based on various factors including their patient’s health status, local influenza activity, and the benefits versus the potential risks from flu vaccination when recommending to their patient to immunize, or not.

Most pharmacies in the USA offer several flu vaccines. The cost varies depending upon your insurance and which state you live.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides the private sector vaccine prices for general information.

Flu vaccine discounts can be found here.