The IAA One Minute Blog

This year’s tough flu season is continuing on and has already claimed the lives of at least 37 children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Flu Continues

Influenza continues to be widespread in all states except Hawaii, according to the weekly flu report released Friday, January 26, by the CDC.

There were 11,965 laboratory-confirmed flu-related hospitalizations reported from October 1 through January 20. 

Over the past 15 flu seasons, the current season is the first time all states in the entire continental U.S. have reported widespread flu activity during the same week, according to the CDC.

No one knows when the flu season will end, but it’s currently tracking at the same level as the 2014-2015 season.

How the Flu Turns Deadly

This year has turned into an especially deadly flu season. How can people succumb to the flu?

1. Pneumonia: An infection that causes the small air sacs of the lungs to fill with fluid or pus. This is the most common cause of death.
2. Sepsis: Flu stimulates an immune response in everyone’s body, but for some people, this natural response can be overwhelming. This type of response is called a “cytokine storm.” Cytokines—proteins that are created as part of the inflammatory response-create a “storm” in the body. This can lead to sepsis.
3. Heart attack: Chances of a heart attack are increased six fold during the first seven days after a flu infection, a new study published in the “New England Journal of Medicine” found.

  There were 41.9 hospitalizations for every 100,000 people.

Prevention is Key

The CDC has these tips to prevent the flu:

1. Take the time to get the flu vaccine: A yearly flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Everyone six months of age and older should get the flu vaccine.
2. Take everyday preventative actions to stop the spread of germs:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people
• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them

       3. Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them: Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They can make an illness milder and shorten the time you are sick.

Keep these tips in mind this flu season!

What IAA has to Say

The flu is no fun at all! Insurance Administrator of America wants you to take preventative measures this flu season. Just think of IAA as your third party flu monitor, keeping an eye on the flu season for you.

Interested in reading more on this topic? Click here and here!