Additional National And International Influenza Surveillance Information
FluView Interactive: FluView includes enhanced web-based interactive applications that can provide dynamic visuals of the influenza data collected and analyzed by CDC. These FluView Interactive applications allow people to create customized, visual interpretations of influenza data, as well as make comparisons across flu seasons, regions, age groups and a variety of other demographics.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: Monthly surveillance data on the prevalence of health-related workplace absenteeism among full-time workers in the United States are available from NIOSH.
U.S. State and local influenza surveillance: Select a jurisdiction below to access the latest local influenza information.
Administering Flu Vaccines During The Covid
CDC has released Interim Guidance for Immunization Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic. This guidance is intended to help immunization providers in a variety of clinical and alternative settings with the safe administration of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance will be continually reassessed and updated based on the evolving epidemiology of COVID-19 in the United States. Healthcare providers who give vaccines should also consult guidance from state, local, tribal, and territorial health officials.
Information about coadministration of COVID-19 and other vaccines is available. .
What To Think About
The effectiveness of antiviral medicines can vary from year to year. Some years a medicine may not work against the types of influenza virus causing symptoms. Your doctor can help you decide whether antiviral medicines are likely to help you.
Most people do not need antiviral medicines. They recover from influenza without having complications.
But since most people who have the flu feel quite sick, some people may choose to take medicine even if they are at low risk for complications.
You cannot prevent the flu or make yourself feel better faster by taking:
- Antibiotics. For more information, see the topic Using Antibiotics Wisely.
- Large doses of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C or zinc.
- Herbal remedies, such as echinacea.
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What Increases Your Risk
Anyone exposed to an influenza virus can become infected. These viruses are contagious and spread easily among people in groups, such as in nursing homes, hospitals, shelters, schools, and day cares. Working, visiting, or living in any of these areas increases your risk of getting the flu.
The risk of having severe symptoms and complications is higher for:
- Children younger than 2 years of age.
- Adults age 65 and older.
- Pregnant women.
- People who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , other lung diseases, or heart failure.
- People who have a medical condition or who are using a medicine that impairs the immune system.
Outpatient Respiratory Illness Surveillance
The U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network monitors outpatient visits for influenza-like illness , not laboratory-confirmed influenza, and will therefore capture respiratory illness visits due to infection with any pathogen that can present with similar symptoms, including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health care-seeking behaviors have changed, and people may be accessing the health care system in alternative settings not captured as a part of ILINet or at a different point in their illness than they might have before the pandemic. Therefore, it is important to evaluate syndromic surveillance data, including that from ILINet, in the context of other sources of surveillance data to obtain a complete and accurate picture of influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory virus activity. CDC is tracking the COVID-19 pandemic in a weekly publication called COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review. Information about other respiratory virus activity can be found on CDCs National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System website.
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Where To Get A Flu Shot In East Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. As fall begins, so does flu season. Heres a list of some of the many places in East Tennessee where flu shots are readily available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says just about everybody needs an annual flu vaccination, beginning with 6-month-old babies. The flu is the most dangerous for adults over age 65, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions, such as heart or lung disease.
Many pharmacies across the US offer flu shots including Walgreens, CVS and Kroger Pharmacy. The vaccination will be free under most insurances.
- Publix Pharmacy
Texas And Dc Are Hotspots For Flu
In southern states like Texas, where Kitagawa works, the October virus-spreading trend is even more pronounced. The chart below tracks the proportion of ILI that Kinsa thermometers are recording across 17 southern US states, including Delaware, DC, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
You can see the pediatric curve here is even steeper than the graph for the entire US:
Federal flu surveillance done in hospitals and outpatient clinics around the country mirrors Kinsa’s tracking, too. The most recent tally of influenza-like illnesses across the US includes “high” levels of ILI fevers in Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and New York.
ILI is also “very high” in Washington, DC right now. In nearby Virginia, Stafford High School cancelled all extracurricular activities last weekend after nearly half the school’s students and staff called out sick, the Hill reported.
All this fever, cough, and sore throat data can’t really differentiate between who has the flu, who has RSV, and who might have COVID-19, or some other viral illness that causes the same feverish symptoms. But it is a good indication that all those viruses are spreading quickly from person to person right now.
If you’re not sick yet, “do the preventative things that you can do, like get the flu vaccine,” Kitagawa said.
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What Will Flu Season Look Like This Year
Without COVID-19 restrictions in place, Tennessee experts warn flu season could get ugly.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Flu season is almost upon us, but what will it look like? Without COVID-19 restrictions in place, Tennessee experts warn it could get ugly.
Since 2020, the number of flu cases has dropped as Americans masked up, stayed home from work and took other measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Without those restrictions in place, what will the flu look like?
Its very difficult to predict flu its so variable what we can say with assurance is there will be influenza, Dr. William Schaffner at Vanderbilt University said.
However, Schaffner is certain that the lack of masks and social distancing will play a part. Remember all of those things together helped us reduce covid for a period of time but really had a profound effect on reducing influenza, he said.
This factor is all the more reason to get vaccinated this year, according to Schaffner. He said that vaccination will control serious flu infections and allow winter to come and go.
Copyright 2022 WVLT. All rights reserved.
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Testing And Treatment Of Respiratory Illness When Sars
While waiting on results of testing, sick non-hospitalized persons with respiratory symptoms should self-isolate at home. Even if people test negative for both viruses, they should self-isolate because of the potential for false negative testing results depending upon what kind of test was done and the level of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza transmission in the community. Persons not hospitalized but who are at high-risk for complications from influenza should get antiviral treatment for influenza as soon as possible.
For hospitalized patients, empiric oseltamivir treatment for suspected influenza should be started as soon as possible regardless of illness duration, without waiting for influenza testing results. Get more information on testing and treatment when SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses are co-circulating.
CDC has developed clinical algorithms that can help guide decisions for influenza testing and treatment when SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses are co-circulating.
Influenza antiviral medications have no activity against SARS-CoV-2 viruses, nor do they interact with medications used for treatment of COVID-19 patients. If a patient who is at high risk for serious influenza complications is diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus co-infection, they should receive influenza antiviral treatment.
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Thermometer Readings Are Soaring Past 100 Degrees
Kinsa has about 1.5 million pediatric users aged 0 to 12 across the US. Right now, roughly 3% of them are recording “influenza-like illnesses,” meaning the child has a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, plus a cough or sore throat. This is a much higher percentage of illnesses than what Kinsa recorded at this time of year in 2021, 2020, or 2019:
Flu Activity On The Rise In Middle Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. The peak of the flu season is around the corner, but Tennessee is seeing an early increase in flu activity.
According to the CDCs latest numbers, Tennessee is among the highest in the country regarding flu activity.
Dr. Marshall Hall, Medical Director of Emergency Services at TriStar Skyline Medical Center, pointed out that influenza cases essentially disappeared in the last two seasons following the surge of COVID-19.
I havent seen influenza B in two years and Ive only seen one or two cases of influenza A, he said of a recent conversation with other doctors. It quite literally disappeared for a couple of flu seasons so really anything is going to be worse than what it was the last two years.
Healthcare providers and facilities are making preparations now for a surge.
As you get more and more COVID cases and influenza cases resources can get stretched a little thin so yes there is concern for that, he explained, saying they always prepare this time of year.
Dr. Hall said there is concern people have let their guard down, adding there are steps you can take to prevent overwhelming the healthcare system this winter. Social distancing and washing hands, typical protocols for COVID-19, are good places to start, but getting vaccinated is key he explained.
Read todays top stories on wkrn.com
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Flu Vaccine And Covid
Yes, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time if you are eligible and the timing coincides.
Even though both vaccines can be given at the same visit, people should follow the recommended schedule for either vaccine: If you havent gotten your currently recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine, get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can, and ideally get a flu vaccine by the end of October.
A recent CDC study published in JAMA suggests people who received a flu vaccine and an mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccine at the same time were slightly more likely to report systemic reactions including fatigue, headache, and muscle ache than people who only received a COVID-19 mRNA booster vaccine, but these reactions were mostly mild and resolved quickly.
If you have concerns about getting both vaccines at the same time, you should speak with a health care provider.
Yes, you can get a flu vaccine at the same time you get a COVID-19 vaccine, including a COVID-19 booster shot.
Yes, children who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same visit.
If your child is eligible, get them up to date on their recommended COVID-19 vaccine and annual flu vaccine as soon as possible. You can get both vaccines at the same time, but dont delay either vaccination in order to get them both at the same visit. Both vaccines are recommended, and your child should get the recommended doses for each vaccine.
Flu Surveillance Data Updates
Were there any updates in the methods for flu surveillance for 2020-2021?
For the 2020-2021 flu season, there were some changes to FluView surveillance methodology.
In addition to state-level data, the influenza-like-illness activity map displayed ILI activity by Core-based Statistical Areas , a U.S. geographic area defined by the Office of Management and Budget that consists of one or more counties anchored by an urban center of at least 10,000 people plus adjacent counties that are socioeconomically tied to the urban center by commuting.
Also, during most flu seasons, state and territorial health departments report the level of geographic spread of flu activity in their jurisdictions each week through the State and Territorial Epidemiologists Report. However, because COVID-19 and influenza have similar symptoms and it is difficult to differentiate the two without laboratory testing, reporting for this system was suspended for the 2020-21 influenza season.
More information on flu surveillance methodology and these updates is available online.
Why was pneumonia, influenza, and COVID-19 mortality data added to FluView Interactive?
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Keep Flu Away From Your Family
Flu season in Tennessee is typically at its peak in January and February, but the season starts in the fall. As the 2017-18 flu season approaches, its important to take action now to keep your family healthy and free of the flu.
Governor Bill Haslam has proclaimed October 1-7, 2017 as Child Health Week in Tennessee. Child Health Week celebrates and raises awareness for the states work to promote the health of our most important resourceTennessees children. Each of us has a role to play to help keep Tennessee children safe, healthy and on track, said Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH.
A good first step is a simple flu vaccine. You can get it through a shot from your doctor, a pharmacy or your county health department.
This year, the vaccine is being delivered only through shots. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the nasal spray flu vaccine is not recommended in the U.S. for the second straight year.
Flu Shots Save Lives
Flu shots are extremely important for children. The flu virus is common and unpredictable. It can cause serious issues and death, even in healthy children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population will get the flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications, including 20,000 children under age 5.
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When Are You Contagious
If you are infected with the flu, you are most likely to pass it to someone else from 1 day before symptoms start and up to 7 days after symptoms develop. Children may be infectious for longer than 7 days after symptoms start.
Symptoms usually develop 1 to 4 days after you are infected. Because symptoms may not develop for a couple of days, you may pass the flu to someone before you know you have it.
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When Should You Call Your Doctor
911 or other emergency services if:
- You are having trouble breathing, or you feel very short of breath.
- You have a severe headache or stiff neck and are confused or having trouble staying awake.
- You have an extremely high fever.
- Your fever lasts longer than 3 days.
- Your child is 3 months of age or younger and has a fever of 100.4°F or higher.
- Your cough lasts more than 7 to 10 days after other symptoms are gone.
- You are coughing up yellow, green, rust-colored, or bloody mucus.
- You are finding it harder and harder to breathe.
- Wheezing develops.
- New pain develops or pain narrows to one area, such as an ear, the throat, the chest, or the sinuses.
- Symptoms don’t go away, even with home treatment.
- Symptoms become more severe or frequent.
Health Officials Warn Of Nasty Flu Season In Tennessee Plus Another ‘twindemic’
More than two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, and following two largely tame influenza seasons, Tennessee public health experts say influenza is poised for a big comeback this year. And, if coronavirus cases begin to surge again, they worry about the prospects of a long-feared “twindemic” this fall and winter.
Flu reports in Australia often a good predictor of the coming season in the Northern Hemisphere were the worst reported since the start of the pandemic, according to the Australian government.
“What happened in Australia is certainly a bit sobering because they had a moderately severe season,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University and past president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. “It started a bit early and was exclusively an H3N2 season. That’s one of those influenza viruses that can be a bit more severe, and, particularly, it kind of seeks out older persons.”
This year’s American flu vaccines will include protections against multiple types, he said.
Flu season in Tennessee typically begins in the early fall and peaks in the winter months. Mild to severe symptoms generally include fever/chills, coughing, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, fatigue and vomiting and diarrhea.
Officials are worried that summer’s declining COVID numbers, coupled with years of mild flu seasons, could lead people to head into the holiday season with their guard down.
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Flu Shot Friday’ Event Provides Free Flu Vaccines Across Tennessee At Health Departments
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Get a flu shot! The Tennessee Department of Health is urging all Tennesseans who have not yet received a flu shot this flu season to get one as soon as possible, as seasonal influenza remains widespread across the state. Tennessee county health departments are providing flu vaccine at no charge to patients while supplies last and are holding special Flu Shot Friday clinics from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. local time Feb. 16 in all locations to increase the number of people vaccinated across Tennessee.
“We are having these clinics to emphasize its not too late to get vaccinated because we expect a lot more weeks of seasonal flu that we all know has already been intense. Vaccination is still the best protection we have against this serious and deadly illness, said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. Yes, wash your hands, avoid touching your face, stay home if you are sick but above all get vaccinated. It can help you and those around you stay healthy and if you do get sick, it just might save your life.
TDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a yearly flu vaccine for everyone aged six months and older. Unfortunately, flu vaccines dont work as well against H3N2 viruses, which means some people who get vaccinated may still get sick however, flu vaccination helps make illness milder for those who do get sick. Flu vaccines also work better against H1N1 and influenza B viruses, which are also circulating in Tennessee right now.