Stay healthy for Spring runs, walks +

Taken by PKSenagore. March 23, 2018. All rights reserved.

THE CDC ISSUED ITS WEEKLY REPORT MARCH 23, 2018 which indicated that this year’s influenza season is not over.  Just as storm after storm swept across the country and transformed into multiple nor’easters, the viral infections causing ‘flu may be coming in two waves.  The information was based on data collected during week 11 ending March 17, 2018. Jamie Ducharme of TIME.com reported on the CDC weekly summary information.
 
That is the bad news. There’s also good news. The first wave, caused by influenza A (H3N2) was partly powered by the lowered effectiveness of the annual immunization against that particular strain, at about 25%. This second wave is caused by Influenza B (mostly of Yamagata lineage), against which this year’s ‘flu shot’ is about 42% effective! As we were reminded earlier, even if after receiving the vaccination you become ill with influenza, the severity will be lessened if you’ve been immunized.
 
The number of positive specimens is decreasing overall. Deaths are still being reported and remain above the seasonal baseline. Influenza-related hospitalizations are also still above baseline in persons 65+ years of age; the age groups 50-64 years and 0-4 years are next in highest hospitalizations, but the graph shows much lower rates that for the 65+ group.
 
Hopefully this is the last health bulletin to urge runners, walkers, and other fitness enthusiasts to be vigilant in washing hands and lining up for vaccinations.  It’s still not too late.
 
It would be a very disheartening Spring season to have suffered through all the snowstorms and cold, driving rain and, just as the weather improved, get very sick.   All your training in preparation for an event could be wiped out if you were wiped out by the ‘flu.
 
If traveling for Spring Break, increase precautions, especially if flying.  There are still 17 states in which the infection was reported as widespread. You can check the CDC weekly site for all graphs, and there are maps showing activity state by state.
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!
 
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
 
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/summary.htm
 
http://time.com/5216990/influenza-b-flu-season-2018/
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