An Old Friend, or Foe?

Based on National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) mortality surveillance data available on February 6, 2020, 7.1% of the deaths occurring during the week ending January 25, 2020 (week 4) were due to P&I. This percentage is below the epidemic threshold of 7.2% for week 4.

While looking through my endless folders of stained mice brain slides for this week (see my ‘Hello & Welcome’ post if confused), I decided to switch up my usual Crime Junkie podcast to the TWiV on the Corona virus. When Dr. Cramer suggested this podcast to the class last week and mentioned the latest episode featured discussion on the Corona virus, my ears perked up. But the information I walked away with after listening was something I never expected, but ironically had memory similar to that of an old friend.

The flu.

Surprisingly I found myself listening to 4 (very long, but interesting) hours about the Corona virus and how these scientist reached the conclusion that the Influenza virus worries them more. The 2019-2020 influenza season has surpassed initial prediction of cases, especially in infants and young children. In fact, by early September, statistics reveal projects of an upward of 600 cases in only infants. And unlike the Corona virus statistics so far, Influenza reveals a mortality rate of 2% among various age demographics.

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As an aside, I would like to personally explain that I do not make comparisons between the Corona virus and Influenza to downplay the alarming magnitude of the Corona virus. I keep the John Hopkins website updates on the Corona virus open in a tab 24/7 on my laptop and cannot express enough my condolences to families who have suffered and loss around the world. Rather, I ask my readers to put Influenza in perspective alongside the Corona virus. Even though the flu is a familiar virus, it should be treated with the same concern and preventative behaviors we do when any other unknown virus (like the Corona virus) begins to infiltrate and infect our homes. Quite honestly, we shouldn’t even have to be reminded of precautions we should be personally taking for our own health.

Now that this is off my chest, ~continue~ the blog post below.

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The flu has lingered among the United States and other countries since we all could remember. Though this virus may be a commonly contracted virus with an infamous name, the face of it annually alters from undoubtedly familiar to generally similar. But the ability for the Influenza virus to morph slightly into different strains make it very difficult to predict the exact strain that will dominate for the upcoming year. This year particularly has been driven by the Influenza A and B strains.

The different strains of Influenza are caused by the variants in the viral RNA found within the virion. Due to different viral RNA, the different strains in turn can cause different signs and symptoms. Symptoms range from the chills, the full body aches and fevers, to possibly even stomach aches and pains leading individuals to even throw up. The impact this virus has on an individual is also very different according to one’s immune system, age, health, etc. So much so that last year I tested positive for Influenza A two days before the UNC vs. Duke game, curtesy of my loving boyfriend, and STILL was able to rush Franklin when we won. Whereas on the other hand, he was dying. But not actually.

Also, I know what you’re thinking, I suck and could have spread the virus to all the people I came in contact with. Though all I have to say is, two days into the flu with symptoms is much past the incubation period. And I wore a mask.

But still, don’t do this unless the greatest sports rivalry OF ALL TIME beckons you to do so. There are no other exceptions.

Now back on topic, there is no cure for the Influenza virus. Rather there is the trusty, old flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is an individual’s greatest chance of prevention for the Influenza virus, whether it was made to protect you from last year’s dominant strand or not. The vaccine prepares your body for a possible infection from this virus before it even occurs and can quite literally save your life. Along with washing your hands or using hand sanitizer frequently due to the never changing enveloped virus characteristic of Influenza (in any strand!).

I know that it is hard to keep up with your flu vaccine, for any reason. Between you and I, I didn’t receive my vaccine either for this year’s flu season despite my consistent flu vaccinations in previous years. I though that the vaccine was not effective and catching the flu is something common, not nearly deadly. And based on a study by Penn State College of Medicine, individuals like me are termed “flu-floppers,” or those that do not consistently and consecutively receive their flu vaccine. Other flu-flopper individuals and flu-flopper families find themselves in the same passive loop I have found myself in, as I lazily put off the vaccine or even try to irrationally rationalize (oxymorons for the win) with myself that this single year’s will not be effective anyways.

But after being in MCRO 251, this is a decision I regret and I am very lucky I have not yet caught this virus. The CDC estimates, as of October 1st 2019 to February 1st 2020, there have been a range of 22 to 31 million cases of the flu and 12 to 30 thousand deaths. Along with upward of 370,000 hospitalizations. Never would I ever have predicted such high numbers for a virus we take so lightly.

I do not wish to scare any readers, though I do want these numbers to have weight. Luckily, very intellectual individuals have created the Mobile Influenza Analysis (MIA). This portable device provides on-site diagnosis of the Influenza A strain in patients and sequences the genome of this virus within about 15 hours. This is a remarkable creation, because if scientist are able to map and sequence the genome of a virus, it is more likely they will be able to find a way to stop this virus. For us at home, I ask for us to do our part in this fight against Influenza. Receive your flu vaccination, wash/sanitize your hands frequently and understand this virus is not an old friend, rather most definitely a foe.