CNN
—
A tough respiratory virus season is underway in the United States. influenza and the respiratory syncytial virus It broke out early and hit hard this year, straining the nation’s healthcare system and pushing hospitalization rates to rates not seen in years. Covid-19 continues It spreads all over the country.
As this historic season progresses, CNN will follow the impact of the latest disease figures as they are released.
This fall, the number of hospitalizations due to influenza has skyrocketed. The cumulative hospitalization rate per 100,000 inhabitants compiled by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been higher in at least five of the past 12 seasons.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 7-day moving average of hospitalized cases is data Has dropped in recent weeks, experts say Warning People travel and gather during the holidays, so there is a chance of a revival.
Covid levels are well below previous spikes, but trends are steadily rising across the United States, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data.Early November after a relatively mild summer The number of hospitalized patients is increasing again.
Since the pandemic began, more than 100 million cases have been reported in the United States. However, the actual number of cases is likely much higher as many people who are infected are not testing at home or reporting their results. Hospitalizations are a better indicator of disease trends because cases are underestimated.
RSV have been hit particularly hard early this season, with hospitalization rates already higher than in the last four seasons.
Young children are particularly susceptible to RSV, and the virus hits children particularly hard this season. The hospitalization rate for children under age 5 is more than twice as high from her 2018, when the CDC began tracking child-specific data, than in any season since 2019.
Influenza and other respiratory illnesses often overlap with symptoms such as congestion and coughing. But some are unique. For example, respiratory syncytial virus can cause wheezing and loss of appetite, and Covid can cause shortness of breath. Health experts say it helps ensure individuals are receiving appropriate treatment in a timely manner. For example, the antiviral drug Tamiflu can help treat the flu, while Paxlovid is available for COVID-19 patients.
