CDC Estimates Over 200,000 Will Be Hospitalized in 2013 Due to H3N2 Influenza Outbreak

By Tess Pennington 
Ready Nutrition 
January 10, 2013

The 2013 flu season is forecasted to be a particularly harsh one due to the aggressive flu strain designated as H3N2 that is sweeping the nation and causing many to become hospitalized due to the symptoms.

In a studyconducted by the CDC, on average, more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized each year for respiratory and heart conditions illnesses associated with seasonal influenza virus infections.

Further, considering the peak of the flu season occuring around February or March this year, we are likely to see a drastic increase of flu victims as this relentless flu continues to wreak havoc.

Flu Strain Causing Widespread Hospitalization 

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that this flu season is on target for being one of the worst seasons on record.

With 41 states effected so far, the H3N2 strain has hospitalized over 2,2oo people nationally. Some hospitals are so overwhelmed by the influx of flu patients, they are on bypass and sending sick patients to other hospitals in the area for treatment.

Many medical centers and hospitals are beginning to think preemptively and working on ways to prevent the spread of this bug in medical facilities.

In Allentown, PA medical centers are operating an outbreak flu triage tent in hopes to prevent the spreading of this aggressive flu in the hospitals.

“If we can remove them from the main ED and put them in environment where everyone is masked and everyone can be protected, it’s safer for them and certainly safer for the staff,” said Terry Burger, hospital director of infection control in Allentown, PA.

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