This cold and flu season, the United States is being hit particularly hard. With Norovirus, COVID-19, RSV and the common cold going around, influenza A is on top.
Research funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) indicates the “influenza A” strain as having a higher potential of being quite dangerous compared to others. Additionally, their research found that each year within the United States, seasonal influenza “kills more than 36,000 people and hospitalizes 200,000.”
While the flu itself can hit hard, the high risk of complications is the real killer. The American Lung Association notes these groups as being at a higher risk of contracting severe cases of the flu and its complications: adults 65 and older, children younger than five, pregnant individuals, those with chronic lung, heart, or kidney diseases, as well as people with severe anemia and more.
The Associated Press, PBS, USA Today and other various news outlets have reported that this annual flu season is the most intense one seen in 15 years. The Center of Disease Control (CDC) estimates there have been around 29 million flu cases, including about 370,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths this season.
Key updates from the CDC regarding Week 6 of their surveillance report, which ended February 8, backs the claim that seasonal influenza activity remains elevated. During Week 6, there were 4,214 cases of influenza reported to public health laboratories, 4,079 which were influenza A. Additionally, 11 of the 68 influenza-related pediatric deaths occurred during Week 6.
Despite the entire country being impacted by influenza, some regions are experiencing higher rates than others. The CDC’s weekly map displays southern and eastern states with high to very high influenza-like illnesses being reported. Overall, they have reported 46 jurisdictions within the high or very high range and only two at moderate levels.
With the available data, the 2024-2025 flu season is now being considered as “high severity,” which has not happened since the 2017-2018 season. At the end of January, it was also the first time that the percentage of influenza deaths has surpassed the percentage of COVID-19 related deaths. Influenza-related deaths have increased from 1.7% to 2.6% since then.
To combat the spread of the flu and keep from getting sick, the CDC has listed several actions to take. This includes receiving an annual influenza vaccine, avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick, staying at home if sick, cleaning commonly touched surfaces frequently, avoiding touching the face (i.e., eyes, nose and mouth), covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often and more. Anyone who is feeling sick should take the time to get checked out by a doctor. NDSU’s Student Health Services is an easily accessible resource on campus. Their acute care options cover colds, the flu and fevers and their preventative care offers yearly influenza vaccinations.