Flu reaches epidemic level in U.S., says CDC

[Cllcanada]

Flu reaches epidemic level in U.S., says CDC

While flu vaccines offer protection, they are not failsafe.

This year's flu vaccine is 62 percent effective, scientists reported on Friday in the CDC's weekly publication, meaning that almost four in 10 people who receive the vaccine and are exposed to the virus will nevertheless become infected.

This is considered "moderate" effectiveness and is in line with previous years' flu vaccines, which range from 50 percent to 70 percent effective, Dr. Joseph Bresee, chief of the CDC's influenza division.

Dr. Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan, a co-author of the vaccine-effectiveness study told Reuters this year's vaccine was "a good vaccine, but not a great vaccine."

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It is less effective for the frail elderly, for people receiving chemotherapy for cancer, and for people taking oral steroids, as their immune systems have been weakened and are often unable to produce an effective number of antibodies in response to the vaccine.

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reuters.com/article/2013/01...

[bkoffman CLL CURE Hero]

I am off to Ireland with Tamiflu in my carry-on bag, an N95 mask of my face, and a pocket full of Purell.

[jangreen]

Hi I have to travel on the London tube now and again where you are against the great unclean. I have thought about wearing a face mask and if flu becomes epidemic I'll try one.

[sparkler]

I have already caught it; despite having had the vaccination last October.

The nurse who visited to take bloods, told me she was taking antibiotics herself, as she had flu.....

What hope??!!

sparkler x

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

Sorry to hear this sparkler...

Antibiotics for a flu virus? How novel... no wonder we have superbugs...

And why is this nurse seeing patients if she is ill? Are there no guidelines...

If he is a nurse..she is acting irresponsibly...you should inform her employer...

~chris

[sparkler in reply to Cllcanada]

I think in the UK, Chris, the guidelines are 'carry on regardless...pull yourself together...don't complain... etc'. Employees are afraid to take time off work, in case there is no job when they get better!

As for wearing masks- never going to happen either.... I will be sporting the scarf wrapped around the face 3 or 4 times, as I swelter in waiting rooms of 90°. This is what I have done for the last 3 Winters anyway.... and the flu still got me!

sparkler x

[arthur123]

I have not had the flu jab for 2 years as I asked my Haemotologist and he said there was no point as my body will not build antibodies against the flu virus so I haven't bothered, especially since the Swine Flu jab I had three years ago made me very ill!