This Year's Brutal Flu Season Could Get Even Worse

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January 22, 2018

In this Jan. 10, 2018 photo, Torrey Jewett looks on as her roommate Donnie Cardenas recovers from the flu at the Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, Calif. Cardenas, a San Diego County resident, said he was battling a heavy cough for days before a spike his temperature sent him into the emergency room. (Gregory Bull/AP)

With guest host Jane Clayson.

It's the biggest flu outbreak in years, reaching epidemic levels. It could get even worse. What's happening? And what can be done? We're talking to experts in the field.

Highlights from this show: It's not too late to get the flu shot, and more.

Guests:

Dr. Shelly Flais, pediatrician in the Chicago suburbs, spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventative medicine in the Department of Health Policy at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Michael Osterholm, director of the center for infectious disease research and policy at the University of Minnesota.

From The Reading List:

ABC News: 7 Things Pediatricians Want Parents To Know About The Flu Epidemic — "The deadly flu epidemic sweeping the nation has closed schools in states from Alabama to Texas and killed at least 30 children since its official start on Oct. 1, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)."

TIME: This Map Shows How The Biggest Flu Epidemic In Years Spread Across The U.S. — "For the first time in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 13 years of influenza monitoring, every state in the continental U.S. is seeing 'widespread' virus activity."

A deadly flu epidemic sweeps the country. Schools are closed. Hospitals pushed to the breaking point. Parents – worried. At least 30 children have died. This year’s especially nasty strain – H3N2 – much more serious, especially among the elderly and vulnerable populations. And the vaccine – less effective against this version of the virus. This hour, On Point: Fighting a fierce flu season. --Jane Clayson

This program aired on January 23, 2018.