The number of flu deaths continues to climb in Georgia as the flu outbreak remains widespread here and across the country.
Influenza activity has increased sharply in Georgia and across the United States during recent weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During the second week of the year, which runs from Jan. 7 to Jan. 13, there were 40 hospitalizations in metro Atlanta due to influenza, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. That's down from 56 hospitalizations during the previous week. There have also been a total of 12 confirmed influenza-related deaths in the state this flu season, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. That is up from a total of 5 last week. Of those who died from flu-related deaths, all 12 were over the age of 50 with 9 of those who died over the age of 65.
This is far more deaths than the one confirmed flu-related death a year ago this time, and the one during the year before that. But it is fewer than the 20 confirmed flu-related deaths this time three years ago during the 2014-2015 season, which was a another particularly active flu season.
This season, the predominant flu strain is H3N2, a form of influenza A. This flu strain is associated with more severe illness, especially among children and the elderly. This strain is included in this year’s flu vaccine, but viruses can change and this particular strain tends to mutate more than other strains.
The H3N2 strain also circulated during the 2014-2015 season, another severe season for flu.
Vaccine effectiveness typically ranges from 40 to 60 percent in a good year. It’s unclear just how effective this year’s vaccine is. Information on how effective the vaccine is typically is not available until the flu season is over.
With the number of hospitalizations down this past week, the flu season may be peaking in Georgia and across the country but could continue for many more weeks, according to officials with the Georgia Department of Public Health and CDC.
Credit: Spencer Platt
Credit: Spencer Platt
Experts say even if the vaccine is not a perfect match, the vaccine can still help lessen the severity of the flu, and reduce the chance of experiencing severe complications from the flu. Getting a vaccine can also reduce the length of the flu if you do get sick.
Dr. Cherie Drenzek, state epidemiologist with the Georgia Department of Public Health, said it's still not too late to get your flu shot.
And then, she said, there are common sense flu prevention techniques — frequently washing your hands with soap and warm water. (If water is not available, alcohol-based gels are the next best thing.) If you are sick, cover your coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow or a tissue that is then discarded. Also, don’t go to work, and don’t have your children go to school, when sick.
Drenzek said if you do get sick and think you may have the flu, contact your health care provider right away, particularly if you or family members are at high risk for serious flu complications — young children (under the age of 5), those over 65, pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or asthma. Even young, healthy adults should call their doctor if symptoms don’t improve or get worse after three to four days of illness. There are antivirals such as Tamiflu or Relenza that can help treat the flu, but the medication needs to be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms to be effective.
Dr. Ben Spitalnick, a Savannah pediatrician, said in a recent interview, his office is seeing a wave of children whose parents wish they got their kids vaccinated or wished the vaccine worked better.
“We are seeing much higher volumes, of much sicker kids, than we usually see,” Spitalnick said.
Staff writer Ariel Hart contributed to this article.
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