From the CDC 2014-15 Influenza Update

There was very interesting 2014-15  Influenza Health Advisory information shared today by the CDC’s Dr. Frieden and Dr. Bresee during today’s Telebriefing.  Today’s transcript may be found here http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html as soon as they are available and posted.Please read the transcript for more complete information.  They did share that the influenza season has begun and the cases so far in the US are predominately the A H3 type.  In past seasons where the H3 predominated the season was more severe since there were about 2 times the hospitalizations and deaths.  The other point of interest, although Influenza activity can be unpredictable about half of the H3 cases in the US to date this season are of a drifted H3 virus, different than the one in the 2014-15 vaccine formulation.  It was too late once this drift was discovered to make a change to the vaccine formulation.  This drifted H3 virus circulating may mean this season’s flu vaccine may be less effective, but vaccination still is the best way to prevent the flu.  The CDC did emphasize also that although anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu, aren’t as satisfying in their results as antibiotics are, they are under prescribed and do lessen severity of illness if given within 48 hours of onset of illness.  They suggested that clinicians don’t need to wait for test results before prescribing anti-virals if indicated.