Flu broke records for deaths, illnesses in 2017-2018
Flu killed and hospitalized more people in the United States last winter than any seasonal influenza in decades, according to new data released Thursday. It’s the most detailed picture of the devastating reach of the respiratory virus, which sickened millions of people as overwhelmed hospitals pitched tents to treat patients.
As a new flu season gets underway, public health officials say last year’s toll underscores the importance of getting a flu vaccine each year. The shot can prevent infections and reduce the severity of complications from the disease.
Influenza killed about 80,000 people in the 2017-2018 season, according to figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last season, more than 900,000 people were hospitalized, double the number of many regular seasons. The previous high for a regular flu season, based on analyses dating back more than three decades, was 56,000 deaths.
The vaccine can reduce flu illness and hospitalizations, protect pregnant women during and after pregnancy and be lifesaving in children, Jernigan said. For older people with chronic health conditions, getting a flu shot is as effective in preventing a heart attack as quitting smoking, taking cholesterol-lowering drugs or taking blood pressure medications, recent studies show. For those who are frail, a bout of flu can lead to losing independence in everyday activities, said Janet McElhaney, a Canadian geriatrician and researcher.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/last-years-flu-broke-records-for-deaths-and-illnesses-new-cdc-numbers-show/2018/09/26/97cb43fc-c0ed-11e8-90c9-23f963eea204_story.html?utm_term=.8e9413d126fa
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