March 2018

Flu Epidemic Notification from the CDC

As a provider, you are aware of the increased influenza activity and illness severity in the current flu season. Influenza is highly contagious and can cause mild to severe illness, including death in some persons. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) weekly FluView Report, influenza-like illness (ILI) remains high across much of the U.S. and is higher than the peak of flu activity observed during many seasons.

As a primary care provider, it is important to be available to members to ensure early diagnosis and treatment, as well as to administer flu vaccines.

To decrease the rate of contracting and spreading the flu, the CDC recommends vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older. Additionally, antivirals are recommended to decrease the severity of illness for those who have developed flu symptoms.

As influenza cases continue to be reported, the CDC has projected the elevated flu activity to continue for several more weeks.

Continue educating your patients on the importance of receiving the flu vaccine, taking recommended medications, handwashing and flu prevention.

Articles to Share
Feel free to share these articles on the flu with your staff and patients from our LifeTimes member health and wellness website:

• Don’t Let the Seasonal Flu Get You
• Fight the Flu – One Shot at a Time
• Is It a Cold, the Flu or Something Else?
• Clean Hands Matter