The Coronavirus, the flu and you are on the minds of the doctors and staff here at Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists.

 

Coronavirus and Flu Frenzy Make Headlines

Both the Regular Flu and Coronavirus Can Make Hospitalization Necessary.

Did You Know That in the U.S. Many More People Are Being Hospitalized With Regular Flu Than the New Coronavirus?

Thus, our blog this week will feature all three of these concerns. We would be remiss if we did not disclose the grim statistics concerning the Coronavirus. But even as we report on Coronavirus, we want you to know that we are also majorly concerned about the clear and present US danger presented by flu statistics.  Without being consumed with the media frenzy of Coronavirus and the flu, you need to know the facts behind both of them.

So, read on to learn the recent facts behind the rise of the coronavirus, up to the minute on Sunday, Feb. 9.

 

Coronavirus Tolls the Bell: Death Numbers

The Global death toll has climbed to 811. And now there are over 37,100 confirmed cases.

• Back here in the USA, One American is dead and there are at least 12 confirmed cases of the virus in the United States.

• Meanwhile, the World Health Organization warns us all that the epidemic is far from over.

 

Coronavirus Deadly Numbers Surpass SARS

As stated earlier, “The number of deaths from the novel coronavirus in mainland China increased to 811 Saturday. ” This statistic was reported by China’s National Health Commission. Sadly we know also know that the death toll exceeds that of the SARS outbreak, 2003. That pandemic killed 774 people, according to the World Health Organization. (Like the coronavirus, SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, started in China. SARS later spread across the globe and infected more than 8,000 people worldwide.)

 

The Numbers Behind Coronavirus Infections:

The World Health Organization has given us Feb. 9th statistics that show the breakdown of the Coronavirus. There are 37558 confirmed cases and 2676 of these are new.

On the one hand, the bad news is that, as of Sunday, experts have confirmed more than 37,190 cases on mainland China. But the good news is that “at least 2,649 patients were discharged from hospitals,” according to China’s health commission.

Sickness and Possible Death Travel with the Coronavirus. But, Influenza Can Be Just as Deadly.

Meanwhile, Let’s Look at the Flu Versus Coronavirus

Meanwhile, the flu season continues to ravage the US.  Did you know laboratories confirmed 10,314 actual influenza-associated hospitalizations for flu in the 2019-2020 flu season?  And that statistic is as of Feb 1, 2020

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Types of Flu

Certainly, in the U.S. we have been primarily concerned with two major types of flu virus: Type A and Type B. This is the break down thru Feb. 1.

  • Of the 10,314 flu cases, 6,416 (62.2%) were associated with influenza A virus,
  • 3,835 (37.2%) came down with the influenza B virus,
  • 31 (0.3%) got the double whammy with a co-infection of influenza A virus and influenza B virus.
  • Last but not least 32 (0.3%) patients came down with an influenza virus for which the type was not determined.
  • Among those with influenza A, some patients had subtype information. We found 1,397 (92.6%) were A(H1N1)pdm09 virus and 112 (7.4%) were A(H3N2).

Add up all these statistics and the message we see is that quite a few more people should take the flu shot. If you haven’t taken it already, please do so, especially if you are among the very young or the very old. It is not too late.

 

A Rising Concern for You from FLASS Health Professionals

The rising, overall hospitalization rose to 35.5 per 100,000 people. FLASS is concerned. However, we note we have seen these rates among general populations in previous flu seasons. But FLASS concern is mounting over the higher-than-normal rates we see in influenza sickness and death affecting children. The statistics reported, “Ten influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring during the 2019-2020 season between weeks 1 and 4.” (The weeks ending January 4, 2020, and January 25, 2020) were reported to CDC during week 5.”

We add those to previous pediatric deaths over the 2019-2020 flu season for a horrifying grand total of 78 influenza-associated pediatric deaths.  52 deaths were associated with influenza B viruses.

26 deaths occurred due to the influenza A virus. (16 were subtyped; ll were A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses.)
Total: 78 children.  We think that is an awful lot of children who laughed and played in the sunshine only a few months, weeks or days ago.

 

You:  Our Patients, Our Families, Our Friends, and Fellow Floridians

Coronavirus Requires Serious Protection for Health Workers.

Before allowing yourself to become preoccupied with the headlines on coronavirus, be aware of what is going on right now with the flu virus in Florida.

2020 Flu activity has reached the highest level of the season so far, according to the Florida Health Department,

We are noting increases in all regions of the state.  And we have no end in sight. Previously the flu zone chart colored Florida as lightly affected.  However, that has changed. Now, the map colors us orange, indicating a high elevation of flu activity all over our state.

You see, we believe we have several more weeks of elevated activity for this season. For example, right here in Florida, we jumped from 11 to 35 outbreaks from the previous week to this one.  And two children died from influenza-associated deaths.

 

Beware:  Avoid Spreading Flu and Coronavirus With the Same Ammunition

The Corona Virus and the Flu and You can fight on equal grounds, believe it or not. After prioritizing your flu shot, there are a few more ways to fight these viruses.  And the ammunition is simple:  Sanitization equals decontamination.

  • First, wash your hands often with soap and water or utilize alcohol-based sanitizer.
  • 24 hrs a Day:  Focus on trying not to touch your face. Don’t put your fingers on your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you do, wash immediately.
  • If you do get sick with the flu, call your doctor for antiviral medicine within 24 hours.
  • And be sure you remain at home until fever-free for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).

Putting Coronavirus, the Flu and You into Perspective

Washing Your Hands Often is Just one Precaution That Can Fight Both Coronavirus and Influenza.

Simple Sanitary Precautions Can Help in Avoiding Both Coronavirus and Influenza.

 

We know you can’t worry about everything all the time. And we do not want you to be in a state of high anxiety. We do, however, want you to face the flu crisis, armed with all the information available.

Currently, we have 210,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths including 78 children in the United States from the flu.  None of these statistics include the coronavirus.  

The simple, cold-hearted killer that stalks young and old from one flu season to the next is the one to which these statistics apply. It’s a known enemy and it could reach you long before the icy fingers of the coronavirus threat.

Thank you for reading our FLASS blog, and we hope you have gotten your flu shot.  As always, we will keep you up to date about serious issues involving your respiratory system.