Flu Hits Young People Hard This Season: Cases In Washington

Unlike most years, the 2019-20 flu season is hitting younger Americans especially hard, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received reports of seven additional child deaths this week, bringing the total to 39 — more than double the number at this time last year.

Approximately 44 percent of reported flu cases this season are affecting children age 17 and under. The increase is due to a shift in the predominant strain, health officials say. While the predominant strain is usually Influenza A, this year it’s Influenza B, which tends to affect children more. The strain also is known to cause severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, sinusitis and ear infections.

According to the state Department of Health, 36 people have died in Washington during the 2019-2020 flu season so far, including 3 children. King County recorded its first pediatric flu death in a decade in December, and Pierce County continues to have the highest number of deaths associated with the flu in the state.

King County Public Health said Friday it appears influenza B activity had peaked within the county for the season, but flu activity is still expected to continue for several weeks.

"It's good news that we may be over the hump of the flu B outbreak but the risk for influenza persists," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for King County Public Health. "If you haven't been vaccinated yet, it's still a good idea — there is plenty of flu to come."

According to Public Health, it is too soon to predict whether there could be a second outbreak of influenza A.

Nationally, according to the CDC’s influenza report for the week ending Jan. 11, the percentage of virus specimens testing positive for influenza fell from 23.3 percent for the week ending Jan. 4 to 22.9 percent this week. However, flu activity remains high, officials said, and the number of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths indicates we haven’t yet reached the national peak of this year’s flu season.

The CDC estimates that there have been at least 13 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations and 6,600 deaths from the flu this season.

For comparison, the CDC reported a total of 9.7 million illnesses, 87,000 hospitalizations and 4,800 deaths in its weekly report ending Jan. 4.

The latest data from the agency shows that the virus has been widespread in nearly all states, including Washington. Only two states, Oregon and Hawaii, in addition to the District of Columbia, are reporting regional or local activity.

The CDC’s surveillance of influenza-like illness measures the level of flu activity within a state. According to the latest data, flu activity remains high in Washington, New York City, Puerto Rico and 32 other states.

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.

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.