In the midst of a severe flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently revealed that 40 children and teenagers, including five babies aged under 5 months old, have tragically lost their lives to the flu. As the virus continues to spread at high levels across most of the United States, the latest update from the CDC shows a slight dip in the number of people contracting the flu or being hospitalized from it. However, experts caution that the flu season is far from over.

The CDC's data, collected in the first week of January, may partly reflect the closure of schools and a decrease in doctor visits during the holiday season. Alicia Budd, head of the CDC's domestic influenza surveillance team, explained that often, after a temporary decline in flu activity due to the holidays, there is a subsequent increase in cases. This pattern was evident during the previous flu season in 2019-2020, with a drop followed by two spikes in February and March.

Budd emphasized that it is still too early to determine whether flu activity has already peaked for the season. According to the latest estimation by the CDC, approximately 14 million people have been affected by the flu so far, with 150,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 9,400 deaths. It's important to note that these numbers are likely an undercount based on previous CDC reports.

Although flu-related hospitalizations are most common among the elderly, Dr. Dhaval Desai, director of Hospital Medicine at Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta, has observed severe cases across all age groups. Desai stated, "It's not always necessarily the geriatric, older patients. I've had quite a few younger patients in their 20s to 40s admitted with flu."

Severe symptoms such as dehydration, wheezing, and high fevers above 104 degrees Fahrenheit have been driving individuals to seek hospital treatment. The flu's impact became tragically apparent in the case of Quenten Thomas, a 27-year-old father from Tennessee, who had to be put on a ventilator due to respiratory distress. Unfortunately, Thomas's condition quickly deteriorated, and he passed away from flu complications on January 6. He had not received the flu shot this year.

Dr. Rachael Lee, an associate professor in the division of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, noted that fever, fatigue, and body aches are common symptoms experienced by flu patients. Some vaccinated individuals have reported unusually severe symptoms, highlighting the flu's ability to cause widespread inflammation and stress on the body.

Doctors advise seeking medical attention if fevers persist at 103 degrees or above for several days or if signs of severe dehydration are present. Dr. Andi Shane, head of pediatric infectious diseases at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, emphasized the importance of seeking emergency care if there is difficulty breathing.

Despite the ongoing flu season, it is not too late for individuals aged 6 months and older to get vaccinated. The CDC reassures that this year's flu shot appears to be a good match for the circulating flu strains. However, early data indicates that the number of people receiving vaccinations this year, including vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children, has decreased. As of December 23, nearly 7.92 million fewer doses have been administered compared to the same time last year.

The message from healthcare professionals remains clear: vaccination against the flu is crucial, even during a season that may have already peaked. With the flu season potentially extending until spring, experts urge the public to take the flu more seriously and protect themselves and their communities from this severe illness.