INFLUENZA A CONTINUING THREAT!

The spread of the Coronavirus might be getting all the headlines, but influenza continues to be serious threat, according to the most recent data released by the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC).

The CDC’s weekly influenza surveillance report came out on Friday and showed that flu activity continued to climb for the second straight week. Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 41 of the 50 states all displayed high influenza-like activity through Jan. 25. States from the Southwest to Southeast continue to be ravaged by the flu. In fact, Florida is the only state in these regions that didn't report the highest level of influenza-like illness activity for the week. Several states throughout the Midwest avoided peak level of activity, but reports of influenza-like illness in most of the region’s states remain on the higher end.

Influenza B viruses have been the story of the 2019-2020 flu season, having been reported much more often than usual. However, the CDC says the proportion of influenza A viruses compared to influenza B is increasing.

It was estimated that 19 million people have been impacted by the flu this season through Jan. 25, 10,000 of which died as a result. Nearly 70 children have suffered influenza-associated deaths.

Influenza and now Corona Virus! Should you be worried?

While we don’t think you should be locking yourself away over the Coronavirus you should be vigilant and aware. So far there is only one confirmed case in the U.S. The patient had been in Wuhan, China, the suspected ground zero for this virus. He is being treated in Washington state. While there is confirmation that some limited person-to-person spread is occurring in Asia the CDC continues to believe that the risk of 2019-nCoV to the American public at large remains low at this time.

So what IS Coronavirus? This is a large family of viruses, some causing respiratory illness in people and others circulating among animals including, cats, bats, and camels. Rarely, these animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people, as was seen with the SARS outbreak which was thought to spread via respiratory droplets with close contacts. How the coronavirus is actually spread is still unclear. Data is still be studied.

Please call us to find out which products we recommend to fight off a wide variety of bacteria and viruses, including the Coronavirus.

UPDATE: SECOND CASE IDENTIFIED. A woman who had recently been traveling in Wuhan China has been diagnosed with Coronavirus. Here at home, a possible case of coronavirus. Texas A&M student may possibly have contracted the virus when traveling in the Wuhan region of China. He is currently quarantined awaiting test results.

From the CDC: Prevention steps for people confirmed to have or are being evaluated for the infection who can receive home care. Stay home unless you go out for medical care. Separate yourself from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom if possible. Call ahead before visiting your doctor. They will need to take precautions to keep other people from getting infected. Wear a facemask when in the room with other people or at a healthcare provider office. If you cannot, the people around you should be wearing one. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Throw used tissues in a lines trash can and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Wash hands often and thoroughly. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid sharing household items such as dishes, utensils, towels, bedding or other items. Monitor your symptoms. Get prompt medical care if illness is worsening (difficulty breathing).