Government health officials warn that a dominant flu medicine called Tamiflu might not take care of all flu cases this year. Currently, the most common flu sickness is extremely resistant to Tamiflu.
This cautionary notice is an early alert to doctors. According to Dr. Julie Gerberding, if present situations continue, we may need to alter how we treat patients this flu season. She is the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fortunately, health officials say they are not excessively worried for a couple of reasons. First of all, it is still early in the flu season and we’re not sure that this certain strain will continue to take control through the season. Secondly, there are not that any people who take antiviral medicines for the flu and last of all, the flu vaccine appears to be well matched to the bugs that are currently out there.
But William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases expert, warns that doctors do need to carefully consider the danger of this new resistance.
The first case of the flu in N.C. was diagnosed in late December. Health officials are hoping that more people will get the flu shot. The supply is abundant this year.
All children from age 6 months to 18 years of age should be vaccinated against the flu, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They also recommend a vaccination for any adults who want to protect themselves from getting the flu. Those strongly encouraged to get vaccinated are adults 50 and older, people with chronic medical conditions like asthma, people who are in contact with people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and health care workers.
Other than getting the flu shot, other actions to stop the spread of the flu and other respiratory diseases should be taken. These include covering coughs and sneezes, using tissues and disposing of them after use, washing hands frequently, and staying home if you have flu symptoms.
In the United States the flu causes 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations each year.,
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