One of the most rampant illnesses during the cold weather is influenza or flu. Since the cold season has finally bid farewell, most people are expecting such diseases to say goodbye as well. Unfortunately, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu season is probably going to extend for several weeks this year.
Though the risks for flu have relatively decreased as compared to what it was before, health experts are still giving people warnings especially that the virus is estimated to be active until May. "While the latest FluView Influenza Surveillance Report showed that influenza activity has decreased since the previous week, flu activity remains relatively high for this time of year," says Fatimah S. Dawood, MD, a pediatrician and medical officer in the CDC's influenza division.
One of the influenza strains that are presently infesting the world, especially in the US, is the influenza A (H3N2). Cases that have been reported have dramatically increased over the past three weeks in the US, as reported by Time.
Meanwhile, the health risks that come along this flu season also led to an increase in the number of people receiving flu shots to protect themselves. Experts say this is mainly the reason why reports concerning other strains of influenza virus such as H1N1 and influenza B has declined for weeks now.
Since the flu season is extended this year, experts urge everyone who still doesn't have their shots yet to get vaccinated. Everyone shouldn't be off guard when it comes to these viruses. "We are told to vaccine through the spring because the cases keep coming," says Len Horovitz, MD, a pulmonologist at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York.
Influenza is best to treat within 48 hours since the first symptoms of the virus appeared. Health experts usually give antiviral medications to patients to treat their condition. Most of them suggest oseltamivir phosphate, inhaled zanamivir, intravenous peramivir, and bolaxavir marboxil.
Aside from taking a yearly vaccine against the influenza virus, there are still several ways to protect yourself from it. Health Finder suggests some ways to do it, such as by staying away from people who are suffering from it, and by not touching your mouth, nose or eyes especially when you are outside your homes. You can also keep your body off these viruses by washing your hands frequently with water and soap, and also by taking some supplements especially those with ascorbic acid to strengthen your immunity.
