Flu and You
This is the latest CDC report on influenza cases as of 12/21/2018:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/flu-activity-elevated.htm
From the article: “CDC monitors and analyzes key flu activity indicators every week. After sustained elevated activity is observed across key indicators for a number of weeks, flu season is said to have started. Flu activity met those criteria for the week ending December 15 (Week 50).
Influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity, which had hovered at or slightly above the national baseline of 2.2% for the previous three weeks, jumped to 2.7% nationally, with 8 out of 10 regions of the country at or above their regional ILI baselines. [Over the past 5 seasons, the peak of ILI has ranged from 3.6% (2015-2016) to 7.5% (2017-2018)].
New York City and 11 states are experiencing high or moderate ILI activity.
24 states and Guam are reporting regional or widespread activity.
The percent of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu at clinical laboratories increased from 6.5% during week 49 to 11.0% during week 50.
To date, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses have predominated nationally; however, over the last three weeks influenza A(H3N2) viruses have been most common in the southeastern United States (HHS Region 4: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee).”
The remainder of the report is at the link above. If you didn’t get your flu shot, you should. They are free at VA clinics and FHCCs. Even so, the Corpsman who gave me mine told me that this time, the flu shot is effective against only 26% of the flu viruses available.
And of course, now, I have a cold that comes and goes and I spilled hot tea on my keyboard last night and had to get out an old one, so between coughing and sneezing and feeling like someone stomped on my head, my life is just crap right now. And it’s all YOUR fault.
Category: "The Floggings Will Continue Until Morale Improves", Veteran Health Care
This just in from Congressman Hank Johnson’s office, he’s inquired with the CDC that if everyone on Guam sneezes at the same time, are we at risk of the island capsizing?
Most likely, Guam will start slowly spinning around its center of gravity.
HA! At least the head cold hasn’t cost you your sense of humor. Feel better, Ex!
Got my shot like a good boy, got sick anyway. But it was not as bad as it could have been and what a great weight loss program.
You, too? Man, I thought I was the only one that got hit like that! Now I don’t feel so bad.
Got my shot this year; got sick.
Skipped the shot last year; got sick.
Got the shot the year before; got sick.
Etc.
What the Hell – it’s free. I live near DC, so until it’s effective against 100% of ALL strains worldwide (including the ones that diplomats and foreign visitors/tourists bring along) I expect to get sick every year regardless.
I just Flu too fast reading the post and comments.
In regards to the photo, I hope I don’t get the green moray flu, it will make me feel eel.
Ex;
Plenty of chicken soup and liquids should help you out. I use those Zicam nose swabs when I feel like I’m coming down with something. feel better.
Jeff
I have done everything possible, including chicken soup and other liquids, but I really got peeved about it when the sore throat returned and dogged me like a West Coat Commie.
Out of sheer desperation, I went for the jar of Claussen’s dill pickles and poured myself a small glass of pickling fluid.
Vinegar, salt, garlic and water. Does it every time. Oldest remedy in the world. Garlic has antibiotic properties just like chicken soup. Salt, vinegar, and water make a perfect gargling liquid, and garlic makes it good.
I had to go mix up a new batch just now and put it in the fridge to cool. I through in some dried dill to add flavor.
Some old-fashioned remedies really do work.
Diluted pickle juice is one hell of a hangover helper as well!
Nice pic on this post, it reminds me of a tune:
If it hides in a reef
And has two sets of teeth,
That’s a Moray….
Ouch!
Now my cold will come back and haunt me!
Wait! I thought Zika was going to wipe us all out or something. You mean it still hasn’t reached the hazard of a mild flu season? Go figure…