That nasty flu problem we've been talking about this week? It is now an epidemic according to the CDC. Last week 7.3 percent of the deaths reported were caused by pneumonia and the flu, which is above the CDC's epidemic threshold of 7.2 percent.
What is disturbing about this year's flu (and other nasty bugs) is that it seems to be hitting a bit earlier in the season than usual.
Emergency room visits in NYC due to the bug are up 150 percent from last year. "We’re having our flu epidemic now, and it’s a bad year. So we’re seeing plenty of cases of flu and plenty of people sick with flu," City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley says, noting that influenza-related cases "spiked from 2 percent of all emergency-room visits for the peak of last year’s flu season to 5 percent this year." Still while things are bad here, they aren't as bad as elsewhere—*cough* Boston *cough*. Meanwhile:
A Gallup Poll released on Friday found that 3.2 percent of Americans reported having the flu "yesterday" when they were asked the question in December, higher than in any December since Gallup began asking the question in 2008. That rate is more typical of February.
All of which is why, if you can you really ought to get a flu shot. The main strain going around this year is the nasty A-H3N2 one, which is covered by this year's flu shot (though the CDC warns this year's vaccine is proving to be only "moderately," or about 62 percent, effective). Experts recommend that anyone who isn't an infant or old get one if they can. And there are lots of places around town where you can get one. Just use the widget to the right!
Meanwhile if you do get or have the flu? First, please stay home and away from us. Second, only go to the ER if you absolutely must. "For the most part, you’re going to get well on your own, so just stay at home or go to your regular doctor," Farley advises.
