Significance of Flu

The severity of seasonal flu epidemics vary substantially depending on the particular influenza virus types and subtypes in circulation. The 2017–2018 influenza season was atypical in that it was severe for all ages of the population (Garton 2018). The burden of influenza and the rates of influenza-associated hospitalization are generally higher for the very young and the very old, and while this was also true during the 2017–2018 season, rates of hospitalization in all age groups were the highest seasonal rates seen since hospital-based surveillance was expanded in 2005 to include all ages.

CDC estimates that influenza was associated with more than 48.8 million illnesses, more than 22.7 million medical visits, 959,000 hospitalizations, and 79,400 deaths during the 2017–2018 influenza season. This burden was higher than any season since the 2009 pandemic and serves as a reminder of how severe seasonal influenza can be.

United States Estimated Influenza Disease Burden By Age Group
2017-2018 Influenza Season
Symptomatic Illnesses
Medical Visits
Hospitalizations
Deaths
Age group
Estimate
Estimate
Estimate
Estimate
0-4 yrs
3,984,513
2,669,623
27,778
118
5-17 yrs

7,512,601
3,906,553
20,599
500
18-49 yrs
14,428,065
5,338,384
80,985
2,873
50-64 yrs
15,588,035
6,702,855
165,307
7,478
65+ yrs
7,309,120
4,093,107
664,465
68,448
All ages
48,822,333
22,710,522
959,134
79,416
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Seasonal Influenza (Flu), About Flu, Burden of Influenza https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2017-2018.htm accessed 10/5/2019

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References

Garten R, Blanton L, Elal AIA, Alabi N, Barnes J, Biggerstaff M, et al. Update: Influenza Activity in the United States During the 2017-18 Season and Composition of the 2018-19 Influenza Vaccine. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018 Jun 8;67(22):634-42.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Seasonal Influenza (Flu), About Flu, Burden of Influenza https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2017-2018.htm accessed 10/5/2019

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