The Threat of Influenza in the United States

This winter season, people are gripped with fear of becoming victim to the newest virus: the coronavirus. However, the United States population needs to pay more attention to a disease that strikes the country every year without fail: the flu. Each year, the United States prepares itself for the flu season that will ultimately strike during the fall and winter. According to the CDC, the flu has caused between 9 million and 45 million illnesses annually in the United States alone. It is marked by cough, sore throat, fever and muscle or body aches¹.

This season, there is no exception for the flu’s aggression. The CDC has estimated that there have been 19 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths as a result of the flu. Of the influenza-associated deaths, 68 were pediatric². In addition, the CDC predicts that the flu will continue to impact people at high rates through the end of February³. Because of this, we need to practice preventative strategies to reduce the spread of the flu. The most effective preventative strategy is getting vaccinated. This year, it is not known the percentage of Americans vaccinated, but vaccine effectiveness is predicted to be between 40% and 60% for reducing the risk of the flu⁴.

Vaccinations are integral in prevention of the flu. This year, the vaccine protects against three strains, including two Influenza A strains and one Influenza B strain. It is recommended to get the vaccine before flu activity begins, by the end of October⁵. Vaccinations are protective for a variety of things. Most importantly, it can keep people from getting the flu. Moreover, it reduces the risk of hospitalization from the flu and the severity of the disease, protects women during and after pregnancy, and is especially effective in children. In addition, it helps maintain herd immunity within the United States⁶. Vaccinations are not only helpful to yourself, but also to everyone you interact with or come into contact with daily. It takes a cooperative effort to fight off the flu, and by practicing preventative strategies, we can lower the flu’s impact each year.