Flu season worst in four years
Categories: Health & safety, In the news
Yesterday, after three whole days of sunny weather here, the mood at preschool pickup was amazing. If you live in the north, you know what a few days of spring weather can do for the soul. Last week, we were all pale, shivering, and huddled still in our winter coats. Yesterday, everyone was chatting and laughing it up, causing the teacher to actually ask us -- the grownups -- to be quiet.Can we all agree that this winter overstayed its welcome? Sure there was a lot of snow and the cold seemed to go on forever, but the biggest problem with this winter were the bugs. Stomach flus, bronchitis, and a flu season that was the worst in four years, according to the CDC. That's because the strains that were included in this year's flu vaccine didn't match the strain that actually ended up circulating. My two-year-old caught it and it was definitely one scary virus.
Health experts expect that some people will give up on the flu vaccine, but what happened this year isn't typical. Normally, the flu shot will give you 70-90% protection. Even with the poor match, it provided 44% this year. So if you're a person who vaccinates, you can still feel good about getting (or giving your child) a flu shot.
Recent Posts
- Weekend Fun and Games (7/03/2009)
- Kids and Extracurriculars - When Do You Let Them Quit? (7/03/2009)
- Twitter Follow Friday on ParentDish! (7/03/2009)
- Lush Lashes (7/03/2009)
- Abigail Breslin Makes $13 a Week (7/03/2009)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ame s 4-20-2008 @ 5:58PM
My older daughter got Type B flu in 07 and 06, despite having had the vac. Our problem this year has been strep. She got it in February, her sister had it in March, then the older girl had it again earlier this month.
Please, other parents at my children's school (I doubt many would read this anyway) if your child has a sore throat and fever, don't give them Tylenol and send them on to school.
Reply