This year’s flu season is one of the worst that America has had in a while. According to the CDC, at least 21 children have been killed from the flu this year and 43 states are experiencing either high or widespread flu activity.

“This flu season has been really bad. I was sick almost all of winter break. It was awful and I was completely miserable,” said college sophomore Josh Gordon.

This year’s main strain of flu was seasonal influenza A H3N2 virus which is associated with flu-related illnesses that cause hospitalizations and deaths. The H3N2 strain is a common flu virus and was predominate during the 2012-13, 2007-08 and 2003-04 flu seasons. Adults over the age of 65 and children younger than 5 years have been the most affected with this year’s flu season. The CDC’s weekly data shows that influenza-related hospitalization rates for people 65 and older during the most recent week available this season was 38.2 per 100,000 people.

“My dad was seriously sick for two weeks straight. He wouldn’t stop coughing and then my mom got it and then my sister too. I hope I don’t get it next!” said sophomore Casey Damato.

Apparently the vaccinations for this flu season are not as effective as those from previous years. However, the CDC advices that people at high risk from the flu should be vaccinated.

“The most concerning thing about the flu season this year there is a mismatch between the predominant strain that is circulating and what was put in the vaccine,” Trish Perl, the head of the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Epidemiology and Infection Prevention told The Post.

For now it’s too soon to tell, but the CDC is predicting that this flu season could be a bad one. In addition, officials are still urging those who have not been vaccinated to do so immediately. Even though this year’s vaccine might not have the most prime effect on the predominant strain, it could still protect against other strains.

“There could be a lot more illness this season because a lot of people have not been vaccinated and are immune. Its important people get vaccinated soon, some protection is better than none,” said cardiac telemetry technician Richard Gordon.

 FSA Connection

1. What is the main idea of the article?
2. According to the article, who has been most affected by this season’s flu?
3. In the article what does the word strain mean?
4. What can you do to prevent from getting the flu?
5. What years were the H3N2 strain most prominent?