The 2022-2023 flu season is off to an early start, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which noted there are increases happening in most of the country despite relatively low activity overall.
The agency recommended everyone six months and older get vaccinated annually from influenza, ideally by the end of October. Most flu activity peaks between December and February, though the flu season can last into May.
The CDC’s latest FluView report showed the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu nationally has reached 3.3%. That’s slightly above the national baseline of influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) of 2.5%.
“This is a high level of ILI for this time of year and the first time that ILI has been above baseline at this time of year since the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic,” the CDC stated.
The United States is also expecting another wave of COVID-19 after Europe has seen increased cases and hospitalizations. The U.S. is typically a few weeks behind Europe for COVID-19 trends. The renewed wave of COVID-19 infections comes as hospitals are facing dire financial realities, including billions in losses by the end of this year. The financial impact is due to the ongoing impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as higher costs from rising inflation and the labor market.
While the percentage of ILIs is above average, not all these cases of respiratory disease are laboratory-confirmed flu, and other respiratory illnesses are circling in the U.S. at elevated levels.
The CDC also noted that the U.S. has experienced little flu for the past two seasons due to lockdown measures, social distancing and pandemic impacts. The agency cannot also predict the exact timing and severity of the upcoming flu season, but the reduced population immunity, particularly among young children, could “bring about a robust return of the flu.” The CDC is concerned about drops in vaccination rates among children and pregnant people over the last two years. Flu activity often first presents in children and then is spread to older age groups. Currently, ILI visits are highest among children 0-4 years, followed by people 5-24.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."