TMC PULSE

T M C N E W S . O R G 32 Getting Through a Ferocious Flu Season This could be one of the worst in recent years by the time the virus tapers off in the spring T he flu season that began in late September 2019 intensified ear- lier than usual, fueling fears about potentially ferocious viruses and increased mortality. In the Houston area, at least two young boys died from flu-associated complications in December. The 2019-2020 flu season has caused severe, widespread illness and features a virus type— Influenza B—that usually doesn't pound patients until later in the season. That's why area physicians, researchers and public health lead- ers are concerned that the current season could be worse than previ- ous years. Harris County and Houston each announced their first flu-related pediatric deaths in December, which emphasized that the virus can kill. One death was a boy between 6 months and 1 year old who lived in northwest Harris County and had underlying health conditions, said Umair Shah, M.D., MPH, executive director of Harris County Public Health. Another boy between age 6 and 10 who had pre-existing health conditions died in the city, according to the Houston Health Department. "It's just a reminder of the importance of flu vaccination for the entirety of our community," Shah said, noting that children under 6 months cannot get flu shots. "The youngest of the young really rely on all of us—the adults—to make sure we're vaccinated because it helps protect little kids." There have been at least eight pediatric flu-related deaths in Texas this season. Seasonal flu activity in the United States continues to increase and has been elevated for months, the weekly influenza surveillance report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown. Every region in the nation has elevated levels of flu-like illness, with most activity caused by Influenza B viruses. Children's flu-associated deaths are reportable to health authorities, but the number of adults who suc- cumb to flu-related illnesses each season are estimates. For the first four months of the current flu season, the CDC estimates at least 15 million flu illnesses, 140,000 hospitalizations and 8,200 deaths. So far, most of the influenza-associated pedi- atric deaths are associated with Influenza B. Early Influenza B "We started seeing some cases of Influenza B starting in September," said Syed Raza, M.D., chief medical officer and vice president of med- ical operations for CHI St. Luke's Health-The Woodlands Hospital, CHI St. Luke's Health-Lakeside Hospital and CHI St. Luke's Health- Springwoods Village Hospital. "We then started seeing that multiply at an exponential rate soon afterward. Raza, a hospitalist and internist, recommends using any means nec- essary to get the flu vaccine. "There are so many different ways to get it. Pharmacies are prob- ably the fastest, easiest way," Raza said. "It takes two or three weeks to fully develop the antibody response. It's an easy fix to preventing the flu and hospitalization and a whole lot of heartache." An online flu tracker, developed by Houston Methodist Hospital, offers a glimpse of how the flu is impacting people in the area by gathering data from patients tested at the system's hospitals and freestanding emergency centers. In late December and early January, positive Influenza B tests outpaced Influenza A in the lab. "Typically, Influenza B doesn't pick up until February or March," said S. Wesley Long, M.D., Ph.D., a clinical pathologist who is the med- ical director of Houston Methodist hospital system's diagnostic micro- biology lab. "Because of that, there is some concern that the flu season may ultimately be worse." Long stressed the importance of getting a flu vaccination, noting the higher dose flu shot for seniors 65 and older that offers more pro- tection. Good hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing and adequately covering coughs, also make a difference, he said. Long felt flu creep up on him in December (he tested positive for Influenza A), but he said his inoculation kept symptoms mild and caused them to subside after a few days. B y C i n d y G e o r g e For more information: melissa.bruton@hccs.edu 713.718.7362 hccs.edu/health for fall 2020 semester! E N D O S CO PY T E C H N I C I A N • Online Lectures • Face-to-face Labs Tuesday & Thursday 5:30-9:30 p.m. C O L L E G E F O R H E A L T H S C I E N C E S

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