Influenza Could Be Lethal to Children This Year

Medicine & Technology Jan 06, 2015

This year's strain of the influenza virus may just prove to be lethal to children this year. And while the annual infection has only just begun, three children in Minnesota have already died of complications from a very potent strain of the influenza virus, health officials say.

Is The Flu Shot Worth It?

Jan 05, 2015

This year's flu shot has not been as effective as flu vaccines in the past. But it is still the number one defense against the influenza virus in any form.

Teen’s Death Demonstrates The Dangers of This Year’s Flu

Jan 03, 2015

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the death of an otherwise healthy 17-year-old girl only highlights the severity of this year's influenza outbreak. Shannon Zwanziger seemed like a perfectly health teenager. She was active and rarely got sick; in fact, she had not even seen a doctor in more than three years. Then, she came down with the flu. Within only a week of fighting the virus, she was dead.

Why the CDC Says Bay Area Residents are In For the Flu Season of Their Lives

Dec 23, 2014

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning that this year's flu season could be one of the worst to date. The CDC issued a warning on Friday that the flu season has started earlier than expected and is spreading rapidly. Already reaching 29 of the 54 states and territories, this year's flu is spreading faster than previously seen. In comparison, at the same time last year, it had only spread to four states.

Flu Season Off to a Usual Slow Start, But Expected to Jump in Early 2015

Nov 21, 2014

This time of the year is said to be influenza's season in the U.S., due mainly to the cold weather. However, health officials are saying that the flu season is starting rather slowly, as has usually been the case. The illness will most likely see its peak in January or February, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).