Influenza Infects Nation with Fear

Post date: Feb 21, 2018 4:6:3 PM

Published 2/16/18

By Amanda Anderson, '19

Photo courtesy of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

A version of the influenza vaccine that is inhaled through the nasal cavity is pictured above. The high numbers of influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths have caused this and many other forms of vaccines to be questioned about their effectiveness.

Snow and ice are upon us, and with it, the potent distaste for the cold that consistently drives people inside.

During a cold season such as this one, people spend as little time as they can outdoors which results in people being constantly encompassed in social interaction and the presence of others.

Diseases spread like wildfire during this season, sometimes taking down entire schools or businesses at a time.

The most commonly discussed and feared is the flu. Every year, an outbreak of the flu virus occurs, but this year it has been more detrimental to the general health of the public than others.

Although it is almost impossible to know an exact number, an estimated 37 children under the age of 18 have died of influenza this year.

Many feel as if getting a flu shot makes them impenetrable to influenza’s grip, but that is not the case.

According to the Center for Disease Control, every year the most common strain of the flu is called H1N1. This version of the flu is what the flu shot most effectively protects against.

However, this year the strain that is turning up the most often is H3N2, a much harder type of influenza to protect against.

This is thought to be the reason that more people are being checked into hospitals and are dying recently.

These high numbers strike a fear in most people; however, the vast majority of people who die after contracting the flu do not die from the disease itself, but from complications that arise from other contracted diseases or pre-existing conditions.

Commonly, people contract influenza but are also already suffering from conditions such as asthma and pneumonia which severely worsen their conditions to a critical point.

So what can be done to stop the spread of influenza in busy places like school?

There are four commonly practiced preventative measures that doctors urge everyone to do: avoid contact with sick people, avoid touching your face and mouth, wash your hands regularly and get a flu shot.

It’s never too late to get a flu shot and they help to greatly reduce the risk of influenza in almost all cases. No one is quite sure when this flu season will pass, but until then, we can all do our part to help stop the spread of this disease.