How Many of us are Getting the Flu?
Influenza, or the flu, can be a very serious illness, especially in the elderly and sick. But most of us rarely seem to see people with the actual flu. Yet the CDC keeps telling us it is common and we should all get flu shots.
To see how many actually get sick, researchers studied thousands of unvaccinated patients in England before and after flu season; and took blood tests to see if they developed flu that season (their antibody levels will change).
They discovered that 20% of the population showed evidence of flu - that is a very high number. However 75% of those had absolutely no symptoms.
It seems that the majority of people have no symptoms. The big question is whether they can transmit it.
I got a flu shot this year. Should you? If you are in a higher risk class; definitely. If you have minimal exposure to large groups or sick people the CDC still advises it but the evidence is not as strong.
Influenza, or the flu, can be a very serious illness, especially in the elderly and sick. But most of us rarely seem to see people with the actual flu. Yet the CDC keeps telling us it is common and we should all get flu shots.
To see how many actually get sick, researchers studied thousands of unvaccinated patients in England before and after flu season; and took blood tests to see if they developed flu that season (their antibody levels will change).
They discovered that 20% of the population showed evidence of flu - that is a very high number. However 75% of those had absolutely no symptoms.
It seems that the majority of people have no symptoms. The big question is whether they can transmit it.
I got a flu shot this year. Should you? If you are in a higher risk class; definitely. If you have minimal exposure to large groups or sick people the CDC still advises it but the evidence is not as strong.
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