The Center for Disease Control, CDC, has reported that the 2018-19 flu season has lasted 27 weeks surpassing the previous 20-week record of the 2014-15 season.

On average a typical flu season lasts about 13-19 weeks. The starting mark of the flu season is a prevalence of outbreaks of influenza and flu-like symptoms reports. The CDC reported that this flu season there have been over 40 million flu illnesses throughout the United States. There have been 585,000 hospitalizations due to the flu and over 54,000 flu deaths this season. The CDC has kept a weekly update of the flu and where it has been the most prevalent this season.

Why Is The Flu Still Here?

This is the longest flu season but it has not been the deadliest. The 2017-18 flu season was the deadliest, resulting in 80,000 flu-related deaths. There are many different factors that affect the flu season length like the weather. The CDC found that there have been two separate strands of the flu virus and because they have been more active at different times of the flu season that has lead to the lengthy time span. “Influenza activity continues to decrease but remains elevated in the United States. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses predominated from October to mid-February, and influenza A(H3N2) viruses have been more commonly identified since late February.” The H1N1 virus is the most common flu virus. There are many different mutations that branch from this strand. Such as the second strain that has been common during the season the H3N2.

Though it is starting to feel like summer again the flu is still a threat. The CDC recommends taking cautionary measures to avoid contracting the virus for the remainder of this influenza season. Some things you can do to avoid getting sick, wash your hands with soap and warm water, stay hydrated, get enough rest, and take multivitamins to keep your immune system strong.