"While this year's flu seems similar to previous years, including symptoms like high fever, body aches and fatigue, doctors said this year's strain is showing more vomiting in children and symptoms are coming on faster and more intensely. The bulk of this year's cases are being linked to a new variant known as subclade K. Doctors say the flu shot will still help reduce your risk of severe illness. However, fewer Americans have been vaccinated this year."
""It's a good idea to go and swab and get tested, because you might be able to take an antiviral such as Tamifu for influenza, as long as you start that quickly, usually within 48 hours of symptoms," ABC News medical contributor Dr. Alok Patel said. ABC News contributed to this story. The CDC recommends everyone over the age of 6 months get their flu shot."
"New York is seeing 'high' respiratory illness activity. Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Texas are seeing 'moderate' activity. All other states are seeing low or very low levels."
Flu season is worsening and cases rose rapidly as Americans gathered for the holidays. CDC data show nearly five million cases nationwide, with Illinois reporting lower numbers than many states. New York has high respiratory illness activity; Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Texas report moderate activity, while other states report low or very low levels. Symptoms mirror previous years—high fever, body aches, and fatigue—but this year features more vomiting in children and faster, more intense symptom onset. Most cases link to a new variant, subclade K. Flu vaccination still reduces risk of severe illness, though fewer Americans have been vaccinated this year, and antivirals such as Tamifu can help if started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Read at ABC7 Chicago
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