Video above: Flu cases, hospitalizations up amid holiday seasonThroughout the holiday season and beyond, many people may feel like they’re surrounded by sniffles and coughs.A number of diseases tend to peak in the winter, thanks to indoor gatherings that help germs spread.The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) routinely monitors the percentage of emergency department (ED) visits in Alabama diagnosed with a respiratory virus to understand the level of respiratory virus activity across the state and whether it is increasing or decreasing. Here are three seasonal respiratory viruses that experts are keeping an eye on: InfluenzaExperts are keeping a close eye on influenza after a punishing season last year. The U.S. saw its highest flu hospitalization rate since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, and child deaths climbed to 288, the worst recorded for a typical flu season and equal to the toll in 2009-10 after a late-reported case was added.So far this season, the most common virus reported is influenza A H3N2, a strain that has historically led to the most hospitalizations and deaths among older adults. Adding to the concern, 89% of analyzed H3N2 samples were a newer variant known as Subclade K, which differs from the strain targeted in this year’s flu shots. Flu activity often does not peak until around February, so it is too early to know how much that mismatch will matter. RSVRespiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, typically surges in late fall and winter and can be dangerous for infants and older adults, sometimes filling hospitals with wheezing babies. The season appears to be starting later than usual, and reported cases have been relatively low so far, according to the CDC. Still, experts say more RSV is likely, and a recent CDC update showed signs of rising infections in the South and the mid-Atlantic. Covid-19COVID-19 activity is relatively low now, down from a summer peak. The CDC recently reported that this season’s COVID-19 vaccine can reduce severe illness in children: It was 76% effective at preventing symptoms serious enough to prompt an emergency room or urgent care visit among children ages 9 months to 4 years and 56% effective among those ages 5 to 17. Even so, vaccination rates remain low, with about 7% of children and 15% of adults having received this season’s shot, according to the CDC.Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
Video above: Flu cases, hospitalizations up amid holiday season
Throughout the holiday season and beyond, many people may feel like they’re surrounded by sniffles and coughs.
A number of diseases tend to peak in the winter, thanks to indoor gatherings that help germs spread.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) routinely monitors the percentage of emergency department (ED) visits in Alabama diagnosed with a respiratory virus to understand the level of respiratory virus activity across the state and whether it is increasing or decreasing.
Here are three seasonal respiratory viruses that experts are keeping an eye on:
Influenza
Experts are keeping a close eye on influenza after a punishing season last year. The U.S. saw its highest flu hospitalization rate since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, and child deaths climbed to 288, the worst recorded for a typical flu season and equal to the toll in 2009-10 after a late-reported case was added.
So far this season, the most common virus reported is influenza A H3N2, a strain that has historically led to the most hospitalizations and deaths among older adults. Adding to the concern, 89% of analyzed H3N2 samples were a newer variant known as Subclade K, which differs from the strain targeted in this year’s flu shots. Flu activity often does not peak until around February, so it is too early to know how much that mismatch will matter.
RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, typically surges in late fall and winter and can be dangerous for infants and older adults, sometimes filling hospitals with wheezing babies. The season appears to be starting later than usual, and reported cases have been relatively low so far, according to the CDC. Still, experts say more RSV is likely, and a recent CDC update showed signs of rising infections in the South and the mid-Atlantic.
Covid-19
COVID-19 activity is relatively low now, down from a summer peak. The CDC recently reported that this season’s COVID-19 vaccine can reduce severe illness in children: It was 76% effective at preventing symptoms serious enough to prompt an emergency room or urgent care visit among children ages 9 months to 4 years and 56% effective among those ages 5 to 17. Even so, vaccination rates remain low, with about 7% of children and 15% of adults having received this season’s shot, according to the CDC.
Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.