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The U.S. is facing a severe flu season, with hospitalizations rising above Covid-19 levels at certain points. Health experts are worried about the increasing severity of the flu. Both children and adults are experiencing unusual and serious complications. Hospitals are overwhelmed with flu cases, including severe pneumonia and neurological issues.

Flu Hospitalizations and Severe Complications

One of the biggest concerns this season is the rise in serious complications. In children, doctors are seeing a sharp increase in neurological issues, such as acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE). This condition causes brain swelling and tissue death. It is often fatal. Dr. Keith Van Haren, a pediatric neurologist at Stanford Medicine, has noticed an alarming rise in ANE cases. Many of these cases have been reported since the start of the flu outbreak.

Adults are experiencing a rise in pneumonia caused by MRSA, a dangerous antibiotic-resistant superbug. Dr. John Lynch, an expert at UW Medicine, reported a surge in cases of necrotizing pneumonia. This condition destroys lung tissue and is very hard to treat. The long-term damage often leaves patients with breathing difficulties. “We’re seeing people in their 40s completely wrecked by the flu,” said one nurse on Reddit. This reflects the severity of the flu season.

Hospitalization and Death Rates

By early February, flu hospitalizations had reached 14 per 100,000 people, surpassing Covid-19 hospitalizations during the Delta wave in 2021. The flu season this year has been particularly intense. Flu hospitalizations are now at 64 per 100,000 people, while Covid-19 hospitalizations stand at 44 per 100,000 people. For the first time, flu deaths have outpaced Covid-19 deaths. The last two weeks of January saw 1,302 flu deaths, compared to 1,066 from Covid.

The flu positivity rate is high. The CDC reports that one in three people tested for the flu get a positive result. In some Washington clinics, positivity rates are as high as 50%. Dr. Lynch described this as “incredibly high.” This is putting extra pressure on hospitals, which are filled with flu patients suffering from pneumonia and respiratory failure.

Neurological Complications in Children

Another disturbing trend is the increase in neurological complications in children. This includes seizures and brain swelling. ANE is a rare condition, affecting about one in 100,000 children infected with the flu. However, this year, doctors are seeing a higher-than-usual number of cases. Dr. Van Haren noted at least 35-40 cases of ANE in the past two flu seasons, most of them occurring this year. ANE causes fatal brain damage and there is no clear treatment.

Other neurological issues, like seizures, are also rising. In typical flu seasons, about four out of 10,000 children under five experience seizures. This year, the number seems higher. Pediatricians warn that this flu season has led to more severe complications.

Hospitals Struggling to Keep Up

Hospitals are struggling to manage the large number of flu cases. ICU units are overwhelmed. Dr. Ryan Maves, a critical care specialist, compared this flu season to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Two strains of flu, H1N1 and H3N2, are circulating in nearly equal amounts, making the situation more complicated. Usually, one strain is more common, but this year, both are affecting patients severely.

Despite the severity of the season, vaccination rates remain low. Only 44% of adults have received their flu shot this year. Pediatric vaccination rates have fallen from 58% to 44%. This has led to more severe cases in children, with 57 flu-related deaths so far. Dr. Buddy Creech, a pediatric expert, emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated. “Vaccination is key to preventing severe outcomes,” he said.

How to Protect Yourself

It’s not too late to get a flu vaccine. Health experts recommend getting vaccinated now. It takes about a week to 10 days for immunity to build. Even if the vaccine doesn’t provide full protection, it can still reduce the severity of the illness.

In addition to vaccination, there are other ways to protect yourself. Wash your hands regularly, wear masks in crowded spaces, and improve indoor air quality. If you feel sick, take an at-home flu test or visit your doctor. Early antiviral treatment can help reduce the severity of the flu.

Experts predict that the flu will remain active for another four to six weeks. Flu B strains may cause a surge in the spring. “Right now, we have H1N1 and H3N2,” said Dr. Creech. “Soon, influenza B will likely emerge.”

For more updates on the flu season and ways to protect yourself, visit Financial Mirror.