Will This Be a Bad Flu Season?
Chest CT Scan Could Help Treat Complications
After nearly 2 years of dealing with COVID-19, Americans are finally trying to find their way back to a new normal. This means going to restaurants, concerts, and even sporting events again. However, as we venture back out into society, many public health officials are concerned that we might be setting ourselves up for a nasty flu season.
In 2020 and 2021, flu cases declined by more than 60 percent in the first 10 weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown. This is because handwashing and wearing masks helped to prevent the spread of influenza.
This flu season, many states have lifted these health measures, making it easier for a variety of viruses to spread again – including influenza.
Unfortunately, as influenza begins to spread again, this could result in higher rates of infection and hospitalization. This is partly because the flu virus mutates all the time. Every two or three years, people who were infected by the last strain of influenza become more susceptible to the virus again.
To determine how bad of a flu season it might be, researchers used a computer model to estimate the impact that COVID-19 restrictions likely had on the spread of influenza in 2020. How much did COVID-19 restrictions affect the spread of the flu virus? According to his research, in the 2020-2021 flu season, the CDC reported 2,000 cases of the flu virus. The year before, the CDC reported an estimated 35 million cases of the flu.
Dealing with the Flu
One of the best ways to prevent getting the flu is to receive the flu vaccine. In addition, health experts recommend using some of the COVID-19 health measures, such as good handwashing, wearing a mask, and social distancing.
If you are diagnosed with the flu, it is important to follow your doctor’s treatment plan carefully. To diagnose complications, such as influenza pneumonia, your doctor may order a chest CT scan. A CT scan uses energy to scan the lungs and create three-dimensional images. These images can help radiologists pinpoint and detect fluid in the lungs.
Unlike a simple chest x-ray, a chest CT can help doctors see finer details in the lungs. This means they can detect pneumonia that other tests miss. A chest CT also shows images of the bronchi and trachea in greater detail, allowing doctors to determine if pneumonia is related to airway issues.
Schedule Your Chest CT Today
At ImageCare Radiology, we offer a variety of diagnostic imaging services, including MRIs, CT Scans, and other chest imaging. If you get the flu, pneumonia, or any upper respiratory infection, a chest CT or chest x-ray may help the doctor find the right treatment for you. Our radiology and imaging centers believe in providing exceptional imaging services whenever you need us. If your doctor has requested any type of imaging service, give us a call today at 973-871-3333 to schedule an appointment or complete our convenient online appointment request form.