US Declares Flu ‘Epidemic’

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US Declares Flu ‘Epidemic’

(KFYI News) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared an “epidemic” of influenza due to a recent surge in cases reported around the country. The agency has received reports that the flu has killed 15 children in nine states, and all states are reporting “elevated” levels of flu activity.

Dr. Bob Raschke, a critical care doctor at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, says the declaration of an epidemic “means it’s hitting the east coast and the southeastern part of the United States pretty hard, and it’s heading for Arizona.”

He urges anyone who hasn’t had a flu shot this year to get one, even though the predominant strain of influenza that’s making the rounds is “not a perfect match” for any of the three strains included in this year’s vaccine. The strain that most closely matches the flu that’s going around has “drifted” since the vaccine was developed.

But he points out that any vaccination is better than none, and the vaccine that’s available will provide at least some protection, such that if you do get the flu, it should be less severe than if you have no protection at all.

As a critical care physician, Dr. Raschke tells KFYI News that he’s seen a lot of people get very sick from the flu. “Last year in our hospital, we had an extraordinarily high number of young, healthy patients who had not been vaccinated who developed life-threatening complications and had to be put on life support” to survive the disease.

“I hate to see young people on ventilators,” he says, emphasizing that it’s better to be safe than sorry. “If you get the flu, you’re gonna have an inconvenience. But there’s a possibility that it could be really serious and even life-threatening.”

Read more: http://www.kfyi.com/onair/arizona-news-55067/us-declares-flu-epidemic-13110081#ixzz3No7oJ3hW

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