Officials: Flu season has been mild so far
February 7, 2012
There's good news and bad news when it comes to the flu this year. The good news is that there haven't been a lot of cases in most parts of the country so far. The bad news is that it may get worse.
Health officials say that so far, so good when it comes to the nasty virus.
"If you look at the nation as a whole, we are seeing low activity across the country," said Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, according to HealthDay.
The cases that have been documented seem to respond well to antiviral medications such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir). They also seem to be well-matched to this season's flu vaccine, according to the news source.
Another bright spot is that there have not been any reported cases of children dying from the flu thus far.
However, experts say that February may throw us all for a loop.
"Trends over the last 30 years show that flu infections pick at the end of January, peak in February and then continue on into May," according to WSAV-TV News.
For parents everywhere, and especially those attending college, keeping the flu at bay is a constant battle during the winter months.
After all, moms pursuing a bachelor's degree often feel blessed to be attending college thanks to grants for parents, scholarships for mothers or other financial aid and cannot "afford" missing class time due to an illness.
Health experts say student parents who get the flu or another illness this winter are encouraged to stay at home to ensure their full recovery and prevent the spreading of germs. The same goes for little ones - even though it is a challenge to rearrange your schedule or find someone to care of a sick child while you're attending classes, it is necessary.
Remember that there are ways to avoid getting sick, too.
Getting a flu vaccine is one of the best ways to avoid the virus.
"If you don't want to bother to get the vaccine for yourself, do it to protect the little ones around you," infection preventionist Gail Steele recently told The Herald-News.
Other ways to stay healthy this flu season include getting enough sleep, eating properly and washing your hands often.
KidsHealth.org reminds parents that good hand-washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, influenza, hepatitis A and most types of infectious diarrhea.
