Tennessee, like the rest of the country, is in the middle of a particularly nasty flu season. Area emergency rooms have been busy all winter treating flu cases. A spokesman for Ballad Health said, “What we’re seeing is reflecting what is being seen around the region and country — lots and lots of people, especially children coming in and being diagnosed with the flu.”
The Tennessee Department of Health reported the death of a seventh child due to complications of influenza so far this season on Monday. A pregnant woman has also died from the flu during the 2017-18 season. The state health department only tracks pediatric and pregnancy-related flu deaths.
The problem is nationwide — the Centers for Disease Control says the virus is “widespread” in 51 of 54 states.
The flu should always be taken seriously. In an average year, 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 die.
But this year it’s especially important that all residents take precautions.
The main flu strain in the U.S. this year, H3N2, is considered even more dangerous than the swine flu that sickened thousands in 2009. This strain has proven very difficult to fight.
“Whenever (H3N2) shows up, it causes lots of disease, lots of hospitalizations, lots of cases and lots of deaths,” the CDC reports.
Some experts are predicting this may turn out to be the worst flu season in history.
But, it isn’t too late to get your flu shot. It’s true that getting the shot doesn’t guarantee immunity, but health experts says it clearly gives you a better fighting chance. And those who have compromised immune systems or can’t receive the shot are counting on us who can.
No, you can’t get the flu from the flu shot. And no, vaccines definitely do not cause autism.
Even if you’re immunized, you should still take steps to avoid the virus. Here are some tips from the Tennessee Department of Health:
• Cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water; supervise kids to make sure they also are being thorough with hand washing.
• Consult with your doctor at the first sign of symptoms, which include runny nose, stuffiness, fevers, muscle aches, headaches, and cough.
• If you feel sick, stay home.
That last point is worth emphasizing in this workaholic age when it can be tempting to try and fight through some symptoms and go to work or school. But that’s unsafe and unfair to your co-workers.
Employers have a part to play here. If you’re a boss, make sure your employees know: While we value your desire to work hard, we also don’t want you coming to work sick.
It’s possible you might temporarily lose some productivity, but think about the damage you’d face if you had an outbreak in your workplace.
Hopefully, this brutal flu season will end soon. But until it does, everybody has a role to play in making sure the virus spreads to as few people as possible.