People’s Unique Saving Attitude Against The Burden of Flu Disease

By Bob Simon

The influenza virus estimation has fallen between 26 and 46 million illnesses in the last four months. This is the preliminary in-season burden estimation according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Experts agree flu season lasts eight months, so four more months are ahead. The Centers for Disease Control reports that during the last 40 years, the highest peak flu activity has usually been recorded in February, and the season often ends before May. But the 2023-2024 flu season ends on May 18, according to reports from the Florida Department of Health.

Dr. Frantz Saint-Vil, a specialist in emergency medicine, believes any behavior toward protecting others can lower the burden of flu disease. The number of people who are sick, hospitalized and die is not the only group that helps the influenza virus circulate, Saint-Vil explained.

“Everyone has the responsibility to protect others,” said Saint-Vil. “Whether you have a strong immune system or not, a healthy body resists viruses. But the flu vaccine is the best option.”

As millions of people get sick in the U.S. each year, more than that number spread the virus, said Saint Vil. And these people, perhaps unknowingly, transmit the flu viruses.

“Someone can be in touch with the virus and not get sick but still carry the infectious virus,” Saint-Vil said.

Florida flu review report shows the flu emergency department visits have decreased, and the counties with outbreaks last week were Duval, Hillsborough, Indian River, Marion, Martin, Orange, Pinellas and Suwannee.

Saint Vil said, “During peak flu season, sneezing in the elbow, washing hands, and wearing a mask are among the most significant habits people should have.”

For Saint Vil, protecting while infected or not is an attitude that could save lives by reducing the flu viruses in circulation.

“Medical tests can only officially show if someone has flu or not,” Saint Vil said. Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.

Additionally, fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, fatigue and muscle pain are the common symptoms.

Therefore, with these common flu signs and symptoms, Saint Vil said, “People shouldn’t stay home, especially those dealing with a medical condition, health problems like asthma, diabetes, or cancer.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that many factors determine how the incidence of flu disease varies in the United States: The characteristics of circulating viruses, the timing of the season, how well the vaccine is working, and how many people got vaccinated. They estimate that flu has resulted in 9.4 million to 41 million illnesses, 100 thousand to 710 thousand hospitalizations, and 4,9 thousand to 52 thousand deaths annually between 2010 and 2022.

“While many people struggle with flu viruses, others are spreading them,” Saint Vil said. “People’s attitude is an important factor in the burden of flu disease.”