(10 Jan 2020) The Center for Disease Control says most of the pediatric flu-related deaths nationwide this year appear to be from a strain of influenza B that affects children more.
"The virus that's out there right now is the predominant virus is influenza B, and that virus tends to affect children more and it tends to not affect the elderly very much. So, there's a lot of children ill and fewer elderly," said Lynette Brammer, an epidemiologist in CDC's influenza division.
As of Jan. 4, 32 children have died from the flu nationwide this season, according to CDC.
Experts are still trying to figure out what makes this particular influenza B strain harder on kids, but it could be because many children will have had no or low exposure to influenza B strains in the past, so their body doesn't have any experience fighting the virus to draw on.
Brammer says people who are sick with flu-like symptoms — which can include coughing, fever, sore throat, headache, fatigue, and a runny or stuffy nose — should take steps to protect themselves and seek medical attention.
"The things that people need to do to protect themselves from influenza are, first of all, to get vaccinated each year. Second, just take commonsense precautions. If you're sick, stay home, cover your cough, wash your hands. And then finally, if you do get influenza, talk to your doctor about antiviral drugs that can make the duration of your illness shorter and reduce the chances of severe outcomes. Reduce your chance of ending up in the hospital," she said.
The flu vaccine protects against four flu strains, two type A and two type B.
Of the four strains in this season's vaccine, one type A and one type B appear to be a strong match, offering high levels of protection against those viruses.
The other type A and type B strains in the vaccine appear to be less closely matched to the viruses circulating in the wild, but they still help.
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