Seasonal Flu Bigger Threat Than Coronavirus In Washington

While the new coronavirus continues to dominate headlines and news alerts, some health experts are reminding U.S. citizens to be mindful of the bigger threat — influenza.

Influenza-related illnesses this week climbed to nearly 22 million nationwide, and while the coronavirus threat is serious — more than 24,000 cases have been reported in China, where the virus originated — the odds of catching it in the United States are almost zero, according to Healthline.

With only 12 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S., the odds are the flu is a much more serious risk to your health.

In Washington, where the first U.S. case of the new virus was diagnosed, health officials said none of the 23 other people tested for the illness received positive results.

“So far this season in the U.S. (there’s been) a mortality rate from flu-like illnesses and pneumonia of around 7 percent,” Dr. Charles Bailey, an infectious disease specialist with St. Joseph Hospital in Irvine, California, told Healthline. “Clearly, if there’s no panic concerning the current flu season — which is a fairly normal one — panic over (the) domestic 2019 coronavirus situation doesn’t seem justified at present.”

So far this season, 12,000 people in the U.S. have died due to flu-related illnesses and complications, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those deaths, 10 were children.

In Washington, the state Department of Health has recorded 62 lab-confirmed deaths connected to the flu this season, including 5 children and 57 adults. 14 of those people died in King County, 10 people have died in Pierce County, and seven people have died in Snohomish County.

Health officials said the most common type in our state last week was influenza A.

Nationally, according to the CDC’s influenza report for the week ending Feb 1, the percentage of virus specimens testing positive for influenza increased from 28.4 percent for the week ending Jan. 25 to 29.8 percent this week.

This week, cases tested positive for Influenza A at 54 percent compared to Influenza B, which comprised 46 percent of cases. This is a notable change, as B strains dominated the first several weeks.

The CDC estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 22 million illnesses, 210,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths from the flu.

For comparison, the CDC reported a total of 19 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths in its weekly report ending Jan. 25.

The latest data from the agency shows that the virus has been widespread in nearly all states, including Washington. Only Hawaii, Oregon, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands 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 is high in New York City, Puerto Rico and 45 states, including Washington.

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.