Tag: indefinite flu season

Has This Really Been the Longest Flu Season in a Decade?

Many folks were probably surprised by reports that this has been the longest flu season in ten years.

After all, just about everything about this year’s flu season has likely seemed mild compared to last year.

“There have been 21 straight weeks of elevated flu season in the U.S., making the current 2018-2019 flu season the longest in ten years.”

CNN

But here we are.

Has This Really Been the Longest Flu Season in a Decade?

What does it really mean to have 21 straight weeks of elevated flu season?

Where is it elevated and by how much?

“Influenza-like-illness levels have been elevated for 21 weeks this season, breaking the previous record of 20 weeks set during the 2014-2015 flu season.”

Situation Update: Summary of Weekly FluView Report Week 15

It’s likely that the media reports have been generated by a statement in the latest Weekly FluView Report that influenza-like-illness levels have been elevated for a little longer than usual this season.

What does that mean?

Well, influenza-like-illness levels are the proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI), or basically, how many people are going to the doctor with flu symptoms. Once we get above the national baseline of 2.2%, we know that flu season has started.

“The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) decreased to 2.4%, but remains above the national baseline of 2.2%. Seven of 10 regions reported ILI at or above their region-specific baseline level.”

Situation Update: Summary of Weekly FluView Report Week 15

And it ends when we get back below 2.2%.

Flu season is the time we spend above the national baseline level of influenza-like illness activity.

What’s missing in the talk of the longest flu season, is that it doesn’t tell you much about the severity of the flu season. For example, the peak ILI this year was well below that of last year.

And flu season doesn’t start and end at the same time all over the country.

The bottom line? This has been an average flu season and a lot of people still died, including at least 91 children.

So whether it is a long or short flu season, severe or mild, get a flu vaccine and be protected.

More on the Longest Flu Season

Has the CDC Decided to Extended Flu Season Indefinitely?

As most people know, flu season traditionally goes from about December to March, with a peak in February.

That’s really just the peak times of flu activity though.

“While seasonal influenza (flu) viruses are detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter. The exact timing and duration of flu seasons can vary, but influenza activity often begins to increase in October. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although activity can last as late as May.”

The Flu Season

Sometimes flu season starts earlier or goes later and technically, you can get the flu during any month of the year.

Has the CDC Decided to Extended Flu Season Indefinitely?

Does that mean it’s true, that flu season has been extended indefinitely?

Of course not!

It's not too late to get a flu shot! That part is true.
It’s not too late to get a flu shot! That part is true.

Surprisingly, local media in Las Vegas did actually run a story this story, with that quote.

And the CDC?

The last Situation Update: Summary of Weekly FluView Report, from March 21, says that “overall influenza activity decreased since last week, but remains relatively high for this time of year.”

“CDC expects flu activity to remain elevated for a number of weeks.”

Situation Update: Summary of Weekly FluView Report

So flu season isn’t over yet.

But that hardly means that it is never going to end!

Flu season has peaked and is starting to wind down.

But since you might expect flu activity through April and May, as we see in most years, it isn’t too late to get a flu vaccine.

“Vaccination can still be beneficial as long as flu viruses are circulating. If you have not been vaccinated by Thanksgiving (or the end of November), it can still be protective to get vaccinated in December or later. Flu is unpredictable and seasons can vary. Seasonal flu disease usually peaks between December and March most years, but disease can occur as late as May.”

Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines

That is the standard advice that is given every year. It is never too late to get a flu vaccine if you are unvaccinated and want to get protected while there is still flu activity in your area.

What about the idea of twice a year flu vaccines?

“In adults, studies have not shown a benefit from getting more than one dose of vaccine during the same influenza season, even among elderly persons with weakened immune systems. Except for some children, only one dose of flu vaccine is recommended each season.”

Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines

And yes, there have been fewer flu deaths this year, but that’s compared to one of the worst flu seasons on record!

Compared to this time last year though, there are more pediatric flu deaths in Clark County, Nevada.

It’s a good reminder that flu season isn’t over, although thankfully it won’t go on indefinitely, but still, it’s not too late to get a flu shot and get protected for the rest of this year’s flu season.

More on the Myth that Flu Season has been Extended Indefinitely