Sneeze, cough, and wheeze: flu season has hit.
The flu has come in strong across the US and is wide spread in 35 states according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). UW Health Service reports average numbers as the peak of flu season may be approaching.
“We haven’t had a large number of cases so far in Student Health Services,” said Dr. Joanne Steane, Director of Student Health Services.
“It is hard to predict when the peak will be for UW since it is the beginning of it,” said Steane. The CDC reports that cases peak in the end of January and Steane is hoping for an average season for Student Health Service as the thick of the season approaches.
“I don’t know how [this season] will compare,” said Steane. “We have seen some cases before break and now after break.”
Since cases are still coming in, Student Health Services cannot report whether it has hit its peak of flu cases or not, said Steane.
According to the CDC the number of influenza cases across the nation are down from last year. Steane said even though the numbers are down the H1N1 strain is the main concern for this season.
The CDC has reported a total of 2,041 cases of the H1N1 strain in the region Wyo. falls under.
“It has been causing a more severe illness in young and middle aged adults,” said Steane.
UW falls right in the age group the strain is affecting most in the US and Wyo. said Steane. She encourages everyone to get a flu shot for this season, because it does protect against the H1N1 strain.
“It is not too late,” said Steane. “Flu shots are still available for student and staff.”
As the flu season continues there are measures each student and staff member can take, said Steane. Good hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes properly and avoiding those who are sick were a few steps Steane that will help people avoid the illness.
The CDC reports the flu this season as “widespread” due to its affecting more than two-thirds of the nation as of last week.
The CDC tracks the flu illness across the nation weekly and produces a report available on its website.
