Close X
Thursday, November 14, 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

    South-Asian Women In Canada At Risk Of Later Stages Of Breast Cancer

    South-Asian Women In Canada At Risk Of Later Stages Of Breast Cancer
    "Research has long suggested minority groups are among the least likely to be screened for breast cancer, impacting their survival rates and outcomes," said Ophira Ginsburg, scientist at Women's College Research Institute in Canada.

    South-Asian Women In Canada At Risk Of Later Stages Of Breast Cancer

    Fasting At Night Reduces Breast Cancer Risk

    Fasting At Night Reduces Breast Cancer Risk
    A decrease in the amount of time spent eating and an increase in overnight fasting reduces glucose levels and consequently may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

    Fasting At Night Reduces Breast Cancer Risk

    Experts Warn Pets Can Cause Illnesses, Especially In Immunocompromised Owners

    Experts Warn Pets Can Cause Illnesses, Especially In Immunocompromised Owners
    TORONTO — Pets are a wellspring of love and joy for their owners. But they can also be a source of disease and should be chosen with care if someone in a household has health problems, some experts suggest.

    Experts Warn Pets Can Cause Illnesses, Especially In Immunocompromised Owners

    Sugary Drinks Hamper Body's Normal Stress Response

    Sugary Drinks Hamper Body's Normal Stress Response
    Do you always pick up a soda can from the refrigerator every time you feel a little stressed? This could be because sugary drinks may relieve stress in humans by disrupting the body's normal response to stressful situations.

    Sugary Drinks Hamper Body's Normal Stress Response

    Most Provinces Close To Targets For Surgical Wait Times But Parts Of British Columbia and Nova Scoti

    Most Provinces Close To Targets For Surgical Wait Times But Parts Of British Columbia and Nova Scoti
    TORONTO — A new report says wait times for key surgeries have held stable for the past five years, even though there have been substantial increases in the number of surgeries being done in some cases.

    Most Provinces Close To Targets For Surgical Wait Times But Parts Of British Columbia and Nova Scoti

    Go Under Knife To Spruce Up Your Personality

    Go Under Knife To Spruce Up Your Personality
    Facial rejuvenation surgery may not only make you look younger, it may spruce up your entire personality and boost self-confidence, says a study.

    Go Under Knife To Spruce Up Your Personality