Forty-four states, including Texas, are reporting “high” or “very high” flu levels as viral infections hit their highest levels in 15 years, according to the most recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A second wave of the influenza virus is sweeping the nation, as flu statistics are trending upward.
During the week that ended February 1, 2% of deaths nationwide were attributed to influenza, and 48,661 persons were hospitalized with the virus. Over 31% of specimens tested in clinical laboratories tested positive for influenza.
The CDC estimated that at least 24 million illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths from the flu virus have occurred so far this season.
The states reporting “very high” flu levels are Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Maine.
Several schools across the North Texas area were closed during the last week of January due to widespread illnesses among students and staff, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Other districts and schools remained open but reported only 70-80% attendance rates.
In Dallas County, for the week ending January 25—the most recent data available—3,829 influenza tests were performed, with 34.9% showing positive for the virus. That same week, 185 patients were hospitalized with the flu virus, including 38 admitted to the ICU.
Colds and flu cause many of the same symptoms, so distinguishing between the viruses based solely on symptoms can be difficult. However, flu symptoms are generally more severe than cold symptoms and often include fever and/or chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue.
The CDC warns that individuals experiencing the following warning signs of flu complications should seek medical attention right away: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain in the chest; dizziness, confusion, or inability to arouse; dehydration, severe muscle pain; severe weakness or unsteadiness; or fever or cough that improves but then returns or worsens.