Second Wave Of Flu In Full Swing: Flu Report In North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA — If you caught the flu once this season, there’s a chance you may catch it again as a second wave of infection sweeps across North Carolina and the United States.

As of Feb. 29, the flu has been responsible for 127 deaths this season in North Carolina, according to state public health officials.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Influenza A strains now make up a majority of reported flu cases, a change from earlier in the season when Influenza B was the dominant strain and one that took a heavy toll on younger Americans. For the week ending Feb. 29, more than 72 percent of cases tested positive for Influenza A.

Earlier this season, some health experts predicted we could be in for a “double-barreled” flu season this year, which happens when two strains strike back to back — a pattern flu experts say is extremely rare, according to Healthline.

This type of season increases the odds of someone catching the flu twice. Just because you caught Influenza B doesn’t mean you’re immune from A strains.

A total of 11,090 flu cases have been reported in North Carolina, according to CDC data. Influenza A/B has been the dominant strain of those confirmed cases.

Flu activity remains high in New York City, Puerto Rico and 40 states. In North Carolina, reported flu activity remains high.

The CDC has recorded at least 34 million flu illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths from flu — 136 of which were children, according to data ending the week of Feb. 29.

Last week, the CDC reported at least 32 million illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations and 18,000 deaths.

Nationally, the percentage of virus specimens testing positive for influenza decreased from 28 percent for the week ending Feb. 22 to 24.3 percent for the latest week.

Typically, the groups most at risk of the flu are older adults, very young children, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions.

According to the CDC, symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills (though not everyone with flu will have a fever)
• 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.

The flu is a highly contagious illness, which is why the CDC urges everyone to take the following steps to protect themselves and others:

• Take time to get a flu shot: While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will be most common. The CDC says it’s not too late to get this year’s vaccine.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• If you are sick with flu symptoms, you should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs such as the flu.
• Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.