CDC Warns of Brutal Flu Season Ahead

Turns out, happiness isn’t all that the New Year brought with it. Many people received the gift of the flu for the holidays. The period of Christmas into New Year’s seems to have excelled the spread of the seasonal flu, as people shared germs as much as they shared Yule-tide greetings, and the CDC predicts it will only get worse. Many emergency rooms are already overwhelmed with patients experiencing symptoms of the seasonal flu and the turn into January 2013 is usually the starting point for the appearance of flu symptoms. Due to the fact that the flu arrived much earlier than expected, with cases starting to appear in November, experts warn that this could be a brutal flu season and if you haven’t received a flu shot there is still time. All children over the age of 6 months, patients with chronic health conditions, and the elderly should be vaccinated as these groups are the most susceptible to complications from the flu. Confirmed flu cases and flu-related deaths are making waves across the country, with the south and southeast being the hardest hit so far. A total of 16 states and New York City are currently reporting high instances of the flu per the CDC on December 22^nd. The current strain causing issue is H3N2, which is fortunately one of the strains included in this year’s flu shot. Take action to protect loved ones and yourself, especially if you fall into one of the before-mentioned groups that are highly susceptible to complications. Additionally, products are available that can help limit the spread of germs. Wearing face masks or respirator masks help filter airborne particulates that can easily be taken into the respiratory system. Washing hands properly and regularly with an antibacterial hand soap can clean the skin of viruses, bacteria, and other germs. If you are on-the-go, hand sanitizers are a great accessory to carry along, making cleaning hands and destroying germs easy, and convenient. As the flu season continues to churn on and become more severe, remember to take good care of yourself and those around you. Seek medical help through your family physician if you suspect the flu and if symptoms become severe go to an emergency room. Expect long waits though, because this year’s flu season is expected to be ruthless. Mountainside Medical Equipment is a proud distributor of many personal hygiene products that can help you and your loved ones avoid the spread of the flu. Take advantage of our low prices and great shipping options by placing an order online, through our website. Orders can also be placed by calling 1-888-687-4334 and speaking with one of our knowledgeable Medical Supply Specialists. Sources: U.S. News/ HealthDay - http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/01/04/flu-cases-rise-across-us-severe-season-feared The Daily Herald - http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130104/news/701049927/ LowellSun.com (Lowell, MA) - http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_22309958/happy-flu-year-bad-season-expected