Flu cases remain lower than usual
Cases of the flu remain low in Michigan and the rest of the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of 22 patient visits due to influenza like illness ( ILI) was reported out of 3,472 office visits in Michigan for the week ended Dec. 19.
That is a 0.6 ILI activity rate for the state which is up from 0.4 percent last week.
A year ago on Dec. 21, 2019, it was at 2.6 percent when there were 218 patient visits out of 8,262 office visits.
Comparatively, the number nationally is 1.5 percent of outpatient visits which is lower by .1 percent than last week and substantially lower than it was a year ago when it stood at 5.1 percent.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that seasonal flu activity is lower than usual this year nationally.
ILI is defined as a fever ( higher than 100 degrees) and a cough and/or a sore throat without a known cause other than influenza.
No pediatric deaths due to the flu have been confirmed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for the 2020-2021 flu season. Nationally, one influenza-associated pediatric death has been reported thus far.
Much like COVID-19, influenza viruses are spread when a person who has influenza coughs, sneezes, or speaks which releases viruses into the air where other people can inhale the viruses.
When these viruses enter the nose, throat, or lungs of a person, they begin to multiply, causing disease.
The viruses may also be spread when a person touches a surface with flu viruses on it and then touches their nose or mouth, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services web site.
Individuals are able to spread the flu before they are sick, as well as while they are sick. People with the flu are most contagious in the first 3- 4 days after their illness begins.
Some adults are able to infect others beginning as soon as 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick.
If you have flu symptoms and are at high risk of serious flu complications, you should call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to tell them about your symptoms. Your provider may decide to treat you with flu antiviral medications.
A flu shot is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older with rare exceptions. It is not too late to be vaccinated.
To find a place near you for a flu vaccine go to Michigan.gov/f lu. Many drug store chains and retailers offer flu shots.
According to the CDC, getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, however flu vaccination has many other important benefits. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death.