The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health advisory for influenza A(H3N2) in response to a significant increase in the number of reported cases. The predominant strain being reported is influenza A(H3N2), which in past years has been associated with more hospitalizations and deaths in persons age 65 years and older and young children when compared to other age groups.
Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Antiviral treatment should be started as soon as possible after the first signs of influenza. The CDC advises treatment should not be delayed even for a few hours while waiting for flu test results. Ideally, treatment should be initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset, however antiviral treatment initiated later than 48 hours after illness onset can still be beneficial for some patients.
No shortages of antiviral medications are being reported at this time and manufacturers expect to meet projected seasonal demands.
Click here to read the CDC’s complete health advisory.
