The flu season for 2007-8 began slowly, peaked in mid-February and is still lingering in some areas. The last time a flu season was this bad was 2003-4.
To no one's surprise the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) announced today that this has been the worst year for flu in at least four years. The problem is that the flu shot was ineffective against two of the three strains which caused the majority of flu cases this year.
The CDC does report that the flu vaccine did offer a 44% protection overall for those who received it and cautions that faith should not be lost. Although it is somewhat of a guessing game each year, most of the time the flu vaccine is effective against flu viruses. In fact the effectiveness is usually in a range between 70 and 90 percent effective.
Recent research has begun to show that over time a specific strain of flu begins in Asia, moves into Europe and then into North America, and finally into South America where it seems to disappear forever. With this new data, it should be easier for scientists to predict which strains to include in the vaccine for the following year.
It is also important to remember that the flu is a respiratory illness and not a gastrointestinal illness. Flu symptoms come on quickly and begin with a scratchy throat, hacking cough and fever. A headache and sore throat can develop as well as muscle aches and pains. Fatigue is also a symptom of flu.
Many people experience a "stomach flu" in the same time frame an blame it on an ineffective flu shot. The flu vaccine does not offer any protection from a gastrointestinal virus. Vomiting and diarrhea are not symptoms of the flu.
Effective handwashing and avoiding crowds will help you to avoid catching or spreading the flu as well as other germs and viruses.
