Early Flu Deaths Hint At Nasty Flu Season For California

LOS ANGELES, CA — California’s fledgling flu season is officially one month old, and it’s already proven deadly. So far this season, three people have died from influenza statewide.

It’s too early to be certain what kind of flu season California is in for, but there are indications that it could be a rough year. Flu season in the United States often mirrors the Southern Hemisphere’s, and the flu season that just ended in Australia was a nasty one thanks to a virulent strain of influenza. In Riverside County, a 4-year-old boy died from the flu in early September, and a death so early in the season does not bode well, according to health officials.

The boy’s death is a tragic reminder of how deadly influenza can be, said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County Public Health Officer.

“We should never forget that the flu still kills,” Kaiser said. “I always recommend people get their flu shots every year, but a death so early in the flu season suggests this year may be worse than usual. Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones who are grieving.”

One month into the season, the flu sent more people than expected to doctors’ offices statewide, and hospitalizations were unexpectedly high as well, according to a report by the California Department of Public Health.

Flu season usually peaks between December and February. Influenza, is a cool weather virus that causes respiratory infections including fever, runny nose, coughing and sore throats. It can lead to sinus infections, pneumonia or death in severe cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48.8 million people were sickened with influenza in 2017-18, a particularly bad year for the flu. Of those, nearly a million had to be hospitalized and 79,400 died.

Most of the state's flu-related deaths involved elderly victims. According to Los Angeles County health department officials, many seniors avoid getting a flu vaccination based on misinformation. The county is looking to conduct more outreach to educate the community about the deadly potential of the virus as well as the importance of vaccination.

"Every winter, the flu virus affects many of our loved ones," LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis said, calling it "essential to focus on prevention efforts."

California health officials recommend annual flu vaccinations as the best way to protect against the flu. The vaccine efficacy varies from year to year because it depends upon scientists' ability to anticipate the strain of influenza that will dominate the upcoming flu season. According to the CDC, research suggests that flu vaccination usually reduces the risk of influenza illness by 40% to 60% among the overall population. The vaccine is recommended for healthy people over six-months-old.

A flu vaccine contains three or four flu viruses and can help the body develop antibodies to combat other influenza viruses that aren’t a match for the vaccine. Health officials advise getting the vaccine early in the flu season because it takes about two weeks from the time of vaccination to develop the antibodies that provide protection. The vaccine is available at pharmacies and doctors’ offices.

“Infants, young children, and older people are at higher risk of serious flu complications, as are people with certain chronic illnesses and pregnant women,” according to state health officials.

Most people who get sick with the flu will recover at home within a few days. However, for more severe cases of the flu, health officials recommend receiving antiviral treatment within the first two days of infection.

FLU SYMPTOMS

• fever or feeling feverish/chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• fatigue
• some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.