Influenza vaccine live(MedImmune LLC)

FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2025 -- The current flu season is shaping up to be the worst in a decade. So far, there have been at least 29 million illnesses and 370,000 hospitalizations related to the flu -- the most since the 2015-2016 season, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) weekly flu report . There have also been 16,000 deaths caused by the flu , the CDC says. “Just recently, for the first time this year, flu deaths have surpassed COVID deaths,” Dr. Lauren Siewny , medical director of the Duke University Emergency Department in Durham, N.C., told HealthDay TV. There are a few reasons for why this season has been so bad, she said. “Some of it may be some lingering effects from the COVID pandemic -- that we're just starting to see folks out and about more and spreading communicable disease,” Siewny said. “I think some of it is just that it's peaking late this year, and so it's really feeling like it's dragging out that winter season,” she added. “Everyone that I know feels like they've had some sort of viral illness in the last month.” However, Siewny thinks that the flu season has now reached its peak, and cases should start subsiding soon. “We have hit the peak, at least in this area. It looks like the peak was around the first week of February,” Siewny said. “Again, that's a little later than last year. Last year was more around the holidays time.” How bad the season has been varies depending where you live, Siewny added. “Actually, compared to last year, we have had fewer hospitalizations,” Siewny said of her region, in central North Carolina. “Some of it is how you define how busy the flu season is. If you look at hospitalizations, those are a little bit down from last year. But if you look at overall emergency department visits, those have been high.” Even though the season might have peaked, Siewny still recommends getting the flu vaccine if you haven’t already. “It is absolutely not too late. We still recommend it,” Siewny said. “The flu vaccine is the best protection we have, particularly at preventing those hospitalizations in the folks who are more susceptible to influenza complications, such as the elderly, the immunocompromised and very young children.” She also recommends that people get prompt treatment for the flu, which now can include antiviral drugs that are likely to shorten a person’s illness. “There's absolutely a window,” Siewny said. “If you think you have the flu, if you test positive for the flu, and you're in one of those conditions that would be potentially susceptible to severe disease, we really want to get that medication started within the first 48 hours.” Likewise, people should head to the ER if they develop severe symptoms, she added. “The things that we really want to see in the emergency department are shortness of breath -- that is going to be the number one for us every time -- confusion, severe dehydration, chest pain,” Siewny said. “Those are the things that I would kind of bypass urgent care and come to the emergency department for evaluation.” Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

MISSION, Kan., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family Features) As people prepare to gather with family and friends this holiday season, it's important to think about health and safety. "With the holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time to think about how you can help protect yourself from serious illness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV – and support your loved ones in doing the same," said Dr. Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). "Vaccination is an important step in having a happy and healthy celebration." Continue Reading Photo courtesy of Shutterstock While preparing for holiday festivities, keep these recommendations in mind to help protect yourself from severe flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Flu: Flu season usually peaks during the winter months, so now is a great time to get the 2024-25 flu vaccine. It's recommended for people 6 months and older to lower their risk of infection or serious illness from the flu. In fact, people who skipped their flu shot last year were twice as likely to need medical help for the flu. The best time to get vaccinated is at least a couple of weeks before a holiday gathering. But getting vaccinated later in the season can still help. Encourage your family and friends to get the flu vaccine, too. Together you can create safer holiday celebrations. COVID-19: Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is also important for everyone ages 6 months and older. The updated COVID-19 vaccines offer the best protection against serious illness from the virus, especially for those at higher risk. This includes people with certain health conditions or older adults, which may include parents, grandparents and great aunts or uncles. By getting vaccinated, people of all ages can lower their risk of getting severely sick. In fact, young adults are at higher risk of developing Long COVID than older adults. However, staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines lowers your risk of Long COVID, too. RSV: RSV can be especially risky for older adults and babies. That's why everyone 75 and older, people 60-74 with certain health conditions or who live in a nursing home and pregnant people should get the RSV vaccine. Pregnant people should get the RSV vaccine at 32-36 weeks of pregnancy to help protect their newborns from severe RSV during their first six months of life. As you prepare for the holidays, remember that prevention is the best way to keep from getting seriously sick from flu, COVID-19 and RSV. By getting vaccinated now, you can enjoy the holiday season with greater confidence and less risk of missing time together. Being vaccinated helps keep your symptoms milder if you get infected after vaccination so you can do the things you want to do with less risk of spreading infection. Talk with your doctor about which vaccines are right for you as well as for any loved ones you help care for. Visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore for more information on vaccines, or visit vaccines.gov to get started. The Effects of Flu, COVID-19 and RSV on Different Populations People who are Black, Hispanic or who live in rural areas may be at higher risk of severe illness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV than others. Getting vaccinated is the best protection from getting seriously sick from these viruses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Last flu season, Black adults were more than twice as likely as white adults to be hospitalized for flu. Last flu season, Hispanic adults were more likely than white adults to be hospitalized for flu. One in 3 adults living in rural areas have never been vaccinated against COVID-19. For people living in rural areas, health services may be far away. That can mean it takes some planning to get vaccinated. But being far from medical care also means it's even more important to lower your risk of serious illness by getting vaccinated. Michael French [email protected] 1-888-824-3337 editors.familyfeatures.com About Family Features Editorial Syndicate A leading source for high-quality food, lifestyle and home and garden content, Family Features provides readers with topically and seasonally relevant tips, takeaways, information, recipes, videos, infographics and more. Find additional articles and information at Culinary.net and eLivingToday.com. SOURCE Family Features Editorial Syndicate WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED