There have already been over 49,700 positive cases of the flu so far. Over 8,700 people have ended up in the hospital due to complications with this contagious virus. December 6th is the start of National Influenza Vaccination Week. Here are four facts to keep in mind.

Over Two Dozen States Are Already Seeing High Flu Activity

In the U.S., around half of the states and U.S. territories already see high flu activity. What’s more, four states have reached the highest levels of flu activity. Those states include Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Influenza A Is the Leading Strain So Far

There are several strains of flu covered by a flu shot. Each year, researchers look at patterns and determine which strains are most likely to occur. So far, Influenza A accounts for 99% of the positive cases. H3N2 is the most prevalent subtype. The 2022/2023 flu shot contains H3N2.

The Flu Can Be Deadly

The flu can lead to two serious health concerns. First, it can develop into pneumonia. To avoid this, your mom wants to rest as much as possible, drink plenty of fluids, and use recommended decongestants. Her doctor is a good source of information on what decongestants are best for her needs.

Second, sepsis is a risk. Sepsis is an inflammatory response the body has to infection. Usually, the body’s immune response targets the germs invading the bloodstream, but sometimes, something goes wrong and the body starts attacking itself. That’s sepsis.

Signs of sepsis include difficulty breathing, kidney issues where urine production declines, and tests of the liver are abnormal. Sepsis can also affect the brain. If it’s severe enough, blood pressure will drop. This is why it’s important to seek medical care if the flu seems worsening and causing difficulty breathing.

Prevention Is Key

A flu shot helps prevent the chances of getting severe symptoms. Even with the shot, you could end up with the flu, but the symptoms are more likely to be manageable at home. If your mom hasn’t gotten her yearly flu shot, she should.

When she’s out, she should wear a mask, stand away from others in lines, and wash her hands after touching things like keypads, door knobs, or shopping cart handles. Hand sanitizer is helpful if she can’t get to the sink.

What happens if your mom gets the flu anyway? Make sure someone is there to help her with meals, drinks, and medication reminders. With home care assistance aides, she has the help she needs to battle the flu.

If a family caregiver has the flu, it’s important to stay home. Don’t risk spreading it to your mom. Ask a home care assistance specialist about respite care services, where a caregiver takes over until the family caregiver feels better.

Aviva In-Home Care provides compassionate and skilled in-home care. We are the Bay Area’s premier provider of in-home care services.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Home Care Assistance in Menlo Park, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm#ILIMap

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Evan Loevner

CEO at Aviva In-Home Care

As a former hospital administrator, I launched Aviva with the goal of having a more focused, direct impact on the delivery of care than I could ever accomplish within a hospital setting. For me, the joy of running an organization like Aviva In-Home Care is having the ability to positively improve the lives of individuals needing customized care. As a passionate Bay Area resident, I know that many local seniors can benefit from new approaches to in-home care, that will bring them more connection to the community, and provide families with a greater sense of comfort that their loved one is indeed matched with an ideal caregiver.

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