Flu Season Off To Latest Start In Decades

ATLANTA -- Health officials say the flu season is finally here – the slowest start in nearly 25 years.

Until this month, there weren't enough flu cases in the U.S. to signal the start of the season. This is the latest start to a flu season since the winter of 1987-1988.

Flu season usually starts in December or January. Often, it's half over by late February. CDC officials don't know why this season was slow but it could be a combination of factors.

On Friday, CDC officials said one state – California – has had widespread cases for the last two weeks, and Missouri has seen a spike in reports of flu-like illness.

So far the flu vaccine seems well-matched to the strains making people sick. Last flu season was considered average.

Comments

[SisterAnn]

04:10 PM on 02/23/2012

Maybe there has been less flu because people are more careful about germs and are using saline solution to rinse their eyes and nose with, plus gargle with salt water.

People are more careful to wipe their phones and door knobs, too.

There are a lot of home remedies that will nip the beginning of the flu in the bud. My favorite is chicken noodle soup with red pepper and garlic added. I use it from the store.

What ever happened to the Swine Flu, did the hogs hog it up:?)

[unique]

08:35 PM on 02/21/2012

Scare tactics again.
Get a Flu shot, make Big Pharma rich so they can
hire Lobbyists and give Congress more money.

[Chuck Bluestein]

04:12 AM on 02/21/2012

Maybe many people have learned that getting enough vitamin D and enough sleep can greatly reduce your chances of getting the flu.

[ndtovent]

06:12 PM on 02/20/2012

I've noticed that in my area... Didn't see any people with sniffles or hear of anyone being sick before/right after the holidays, but NOW, I'm seeing/hearing a lot more of it. Glad I got my flu shot.

[madcityy]

03:43 PM on 02/20/2012

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IT IS GREAT AND CHEAP....................I DID NT BELEIVWE IT,,TILL I TRIED IT AND WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW DOES IT WORK....................

[sabelmouse]

08:56 AM on 02/20/2012

3 days and still no comments in spite of being on top of the page .

[whatfreshhellisthis]

11:23 AM on 02/20/2012

Yeah, you'd think that by now several people would have jumped in with comments bashing politicians and political parties. Off topic? That usually makes no difference.

[Bike Commuter]

12:12 PM on 02/20/2012

If it had the word vaccine in the headline it would have at least 500 comments by now.

[hrdbal51]

10:07 PM on 02/17/2012

Oh Hogwash and poppycock!!!