Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Flu Season Is Off To A Later Start This Year, And Experts See Signs That It May Be Milder

The Canadian Press, 18 Dec, 2015 12:54 PM
    NEW YORK — This year's flu season seems like old times.
     
    There's not much flu going around so far — unlike the last three seasons when doctors' offices were filled with patients before Christmas and illnesses peaked by late December.
     
    "It really is off to sort of a slow start" compared to that recent history, said Lynnette Brammer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
     
    The CDC released its weekly flu count Friday. Only South Carolina is showing significant flu-related traffic at doctor's offices and clinics.
     
    Traditionally, most flu seasons don't really get going until around Christmas — possibly triggered by holiday gatherings that bring together people and viruses. Infected kids then go back to school, mingle with classmates, and flu season takes off.
     
    Using mathematical modeling, scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory this week predicted there's a 57 per cent chance this flu season will peak in February, and a 67 per cent chance it will be mild.
     
    Experts are still puzzling about why flu became epidemic so early the last few years. Factors might include the weather and what kind of flu bug was spreading the most, said Dr. John Treanor, a flu vaccine researcher at the University of Rochester School of Medicine.
     
    The CDC's Brammer said so far this year there's a mix of flu viruses making people sick. In bad seasons, one nasty strain dominates. And last year, the flu vaccine didn't work very well for the bug that caused most of the illnesses. This year's version was changed.
     
    The delayed season means there's more time for people to get vaccinated, Brammer said.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Beware, High Heels May Hurt Your Feet

    Beware, High Heels May Hurt Your Feet
    While high heels may help you put the best fashion foot forward, their prolonged use may be a step backward for the health of your feet, new research says.

    Beware, High Heels May Hurt Your Feet

    Extracurricular Sports Make Kids More Attentive, Finds A Canadian Study

    Extracurricular Sports Make Kids More Attentive, Finds A Canadian Study
    Regular, structured extra-curricular sports help children develop self-regulation and stay focused in the classroom as they grow up, says a study.

    Extracurricular Sports Make Kids More Attentive, Finds A Canadian Study

    'Embrace Yoga For A Super Sex Life'

    'Embrace Yoga For A Super Sex Life'
    While the first International Yoga Day has rightfully positioned the nearly 5,000-year old Indian system of physical and mental rejuvenation on to the global mat, little do people know that there are some postures that, 

    'Embrace Yoga For A Super Sex Life'

    How To Beat The Heat In Summer

    How To Beat The Heat In Summer
    Are you finding it tough to tackle the scorching heat? Lets take a look at simple tips from experts on staying cool during summer.

    How To Beat The Heat In Summer

    Revealed: Why Marriages Make People Gain Extra Kilos

    Revealed: Why Marriages Make People Gain Extra Kilos
    If marriage has a positive influence on health and life expectancy, as generally assumed, then why do couples gain weight after tying the knot? Blame it on their lifestyle.

    Revealed: Why Marriages Make People Gain Extra Kilos

    How Sun Gives You Wrinkles, Skin Cancer

    How Sun Gives You Wrinkles, Skin Cancer
    Scientists have documented for the first time the DNA damage which can occur to the skin from the full range of ultraviolet radiation from the sun, leading to skin cancer.

    How Sun Gives You Wrinkles, Skin Cancer