The Flu Has Killed 1,300 People So Far

Flu is no joke. And it is not too late to get vaccinated against the flu

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Each week, the Centers for Disease Control issues its report on influenza activity. As of last Friday, this was the report:

• The 2019–2020 season is underway; all regions of the country are seeing elevated levels of flu-like illness.
• Activity is being caused mostly by influenza B/Victoria viruses, which is unusual for this time of year. A/H1N1 viruses are the next most common and are increasing in proportion relative to other influenza viruses in some regions.
• CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 2.6 million flu illnesses, 23,000 hospitalizations and 1,300 deaths from flu.

The emphasis is mine. Flu is a big deal. Yes, for many — if not most — people, it is just a bad cold. For some, it can be deadly. In the U.S, thus far, it has been deadly for 1,300 people, and we have just gotten started in the flu season.

I have seen people die from the flu. It is not a pretty sight. And it can be prevented — or, at the very least, its effects mitigated — by the flu vaccine.

It is not too late to get the flu vaccine. It does help. It can even save your life, especially if you have chronic lung or other illnesses. If your immune system is weak from chemotherapy, it is essential to get the flu shot. Flu is no joke, folks. Getting the flu vaccine is the right thing to do.