Introduction:
The number of cases can vary from year to year as the flu is not specific and comprises different influenza strains that circulate. Certain influenza strains are more severe than others. The WHO, until 2017, estimated that seasonal flu is associated with a total of 0.25 to 0.5 million deaths every year.
In 2019, the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) publication estimated a range of 99,000 to 2,00,000 deaths per year from lower respiratory tract infections caused by flu or influenza. The mortality rate fluctuates significantly between years, depending on the circulating strains. Flu-related mortalities in individuals (less than 65 years of age) can be avoided by improving healthcare facilities.
How Many Children Die of the Flu Each Year?
During 2019, the flu virus was predominant for most of the year, but there was a surge in the number of cases before the COVID-19 pandemic began. However, flu is associated with more severe illnesses in older people. During the last few years, it has been shown to affect children adversely, leading to serious illness as well as death. Centers for disease control and protection (CDC) recommends that children who are younger than five years of age or children who have a high-risk medical condition should be vaccinated as they are more likely to develop severe flu complications that need hospitalization and can even cause death. When a child dies from a vaccine-preventable illness, it amounts to a greater tragedy. However, the number of pediatric flu deaths reported to CDC each year might not represent the actual count, even though the reported cases of flu-related deaths in children during the 2019 flu season was 199 in the U.S. The CDC estimates the actual number of flu-related deaths in children that season was 434.
Vaccination should be done every flu season. If two vaccinations are needed, the first dose should be given in the season as early as possible. Children have to be vaccinated during the flu season every year to protect themselves against the flu. If the child has to take two doses of flu vaccine, the first dose should be taken in the season as possible. It is suitable for all the children to be vaccinated by the end of October.
In addition to getting vaccinated, children and caregivers should take preventive actions. CDC recommends covering the mouth while coughing, washing hands frequently, and avoiding people who are sick.
What Is the Effect of Flu on Geriatric Patients?
Every year 90 % of deaths related to the influenza virus globally affect individuals above 65 years.
The flu can be extremely dangerous for older patients because of the following reasons:
- The immune system of every individual weekend with age. Sometimes when the body is fighting with flu, the patient might acquire a secondary infection like pneumonia.
- A second reason is that older individuals with comorbidities like diabetes are at an increased risk of flu.
Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent flu in the geriatric population, especially with chronic health conditions.
How Many People Die of the Flu Each Year Worldwide?
The global seasonal flu-associated respiratory mortality rate studied by WHO found that 67 % of seasonal flu deaths occurred in those who are more than 65 years of age, but there is a considerable regional variation seen. Around 50 % of flu-associated respiratory deaths occurred in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific, and about 67 % occurred in individuals more than 65 years of age. The mortality rate varied from 36 % in Sub-Saharan Africa to 86% in Europe. These differences are due to the regional variation in age structure, baseline mortality, socio-economic status, and demographic development.
Flu-associated mortality rates were 26 times higher in those who are above the age of 65 years in comparison to individuals of a lesser age group. Hence, age is an important factor in flu deaths across the world. The CDC estimates that flu deaths are associated with cardiovascular causes, indicating that the total mortality rate of influenza is likely to be significantly higher. A recent study of 43 flu-related mortalities found that the ratio varies considerably among different countries because of demographic and population differences, including the frequency of chronic health diseases.
What Are the Similarities Between COVID-19 and Flu?
Symptoms:
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Both can cause fever, cough, body aches, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (especially in children).
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Both can lead to severe pneumonia.
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Both flu and COVID-19 may be asymptomatic, mild, severe, or even fatal.
Spread:
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Both the flu and COVID-19 can spread in similar ways. Droplets of virus particles from an infected or sick person can transmit the virus to other people nearby. The smallest particles might remain in the air, and an unaffected person can inhale them and become infected.
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Individuals can touch a surface with viruses on it and then transfer the germs by touching their faces.
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The incubation period is long. People carrying the infection may not realize that they are sick for several days, and during that time can unknowingly spread the disease to others.
How Can Flu Be Avoided?
The best way of protection against the flu is to get vaccinated and have accurate information regarding the spread of the virus. The CDC (centers for disease control and protection) recommends that every individual take the flu vaccine every year starting from the age of six months. It is the most critical step that people should protect themselves against the flu virus. The flu can cause complications in young children, the elderly, and people who are immunocompromised due to chronic illness. Therefore this part of the population should be especially vaccinated.
What Are the Treatment Regimens Available for Flu or Influenza?
The center for disease control and prevention (CDC) suggests immediate treatment for people with flu or at higher risk of serious flu complications (asthmatic patients, diabetics, or patients with heart disease).
Flu vaccines and antiviral drugs are prescribed to prevent or treat influenza. Antivirals are medicines available in the form of pills, liquid, an intravenous solution, or an inhaled powder that fight against the flu virus in the body. Antiviral drugs are not available over the counter or without a prescription.
Some FDA (food and drug administration) approved antiviral drugs recommended by CDC (center for disease control and prevention) to treat flu are listed below:
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Oseltamivir phosphate.
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Zanamivir.
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Peramivir.
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Baloxavir marboxil.
Oseltamivir or inhaled Zanamivir are usually administered for five days or one dose of oral Baloxavir or intravenous Peramivir for one day. However, certain patients may be treated for more than five days. Hospitalized patients are usually given Oseltamivir treatment.
Flu Vaccines:
According to CDC, flu vaccines can be taken annually by any individual six months or older. The flu vaccine is the most efficient way to help prevent the flu and its potential complications. Antiviral drugs act as a second line of defense that can be used to treat the flu.
Available flu vaccines include:
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Standard-Dose Flu Shots: It includes standard dose flu shots available. These vaccines can be used in children as young as six months, and the flu shots are given in the arm muscle either with a needle or a jet ejector (for people 18 to 64 years).
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A Cell-Based Flu Shot: It contains a virus grown in cell culture and is approved for people 6 months and older.
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A Recombinant Flu Shot: It is approved for use in individuals 18 years and older. It contains three times the antigen than the standard-dose inactivated flu vaccines. Therefore it leads to a stronger immune response.
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A High-Dose Flu Shot: It is approved for use in individuals 65 years and older.
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An Adjuvanted Flu Shot: It is approved for people 65 years and older. This vaccine is manufactured with an adjuvant and leads to a stronger immune response.
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A Live Attenuated Fu Nasal Spray Vaccine: It is composed of weakened live flu viruses and is approved for use in people 2 to 49 years. This vaccine is not recommended in immunocompromised people, pregnant women, or people with specific medical conditions.
In India, the flu or influenza vaccine is recommended for some high-risk individuals only. Flu vaccination has not been universal in India because:
- The morbidity and mortality rate of influenza in India is limited, and presently the numbers do not suggest prioritization of flu prevention and control strategies.
- The risk groups for influenza in developing countries, including India, are not well defined. However, based on the global estimates for developing countries, the IAP (Indian academy of pediatrics) suggests that influenza vaccination should aim to protect high-risk groups against severe flu-associated disease and death.
Conclusion:
The proper monitoring of flu-associated mortality requires the collection of more detailed mortality data from a more significant number of countries over a more extended period. Seventy countries report annual vital statistics or data to WHO. However, only thirty-three provided data on the weekly or monthly basis needed for flu studies. It is believed most of the seventy participating countries have more detailed data on a monthly or weekly time scale which, if reported, would play a vital role in assessing the diseases. The regional variation in flu mortality rate is affected by health care and socio-economic development, which should be further investigated when more data is available. Certain strains of the flu are more severe than others.
The global and regional estimates provide a valuable tool to set health priorities and project the impact of new or improved intervention measures, such as universal flu or influenza vaccines that are currently under development.
