More Americans Worry About Flu Than Coronavirus, Poll Says

A wide share of Americans express more concern about catching the flu over the new coronavirus, according to a new poll, and are moderately confident in the ability of U.S. health officials to handle emerging viruses like coronavirus.

About 4 in 10 say they are moderately worried about catching the flu, according to the poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, compared with 2 in 10 who are concerned about catching coronavirus. Comparable shares of Americans — roughly 2 in 10 — say they are very worried about getting coronavirus and the flu.

The level of concern is appropriate, researchers say, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 29 million flu-related illnesses in the United States this year, according to the center’s report for the week ending Feb. 15. This is compared to only 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus.

In Washington, the state Department of Health recorded 168 total flu cases last week. Influenza A was the dominant strain with 116 confirmed cases. A reported 52 people tested positive for Influenza B. The total number of infections for both strains has steadily dropped over the last four weeks.

According to the latest data, flu activity remains high in New York City, Puerto Rico and 44 states, including Washington.

The flu is also hitting younger Americans especially hard. So far this season, the CDC has reported a total of 105 pediatric deaths. In January, reported pediatric deaths were more than double what they were last season.

In total, 16,000 people in the United States have died due to flu-related illnesses and complications, according to the latest CDC data.

In Washington state, 70 people have died from the flu this season, including 64 adults and six children. The Department of Health said 45 deaths were linked with Influenza B, and 25 were linked Influenza A. Health officials said most adults who died had underlying health conditions or were elderly.

Nationally, the percentage of virus specimens testing positive for influenza decreased from 30.3 percent for the week ending Feb. 8 to 29.6 percent for the latest week.

In addition to the 16,000 deaths, the CDC estimates there have been at least 29 million illnesses and 280,000 hospitalizations from the flu so far this season.

For comparison, the CDC reported a total of 26 million illnesses, 250,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths in its weekly report ending Feb. 8.

Typically, the groups most at risk of the flu are older adults, very young children, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions.

Interim estimates of 2019-2020 flu vaccine effectiveness were released this week. According to the CDC, flu vaccines are reducing doctor’s visits related to the flu by 45 percent overall and 55 percent in children.

Symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills (though not everyone with flu will have a fever)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

The flu is a highly contagious illness, which is why the CDC urges everyone to take the following steps to protect themselves and others:

• Take time to get a flu shot: While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will be most common. The CDC says it’s not too late to get this year’s vaccine.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• If you are sick with flu symptoms, you should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs such as the flu.
• Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.