By Marie Rosenthal, MS
From the start of the flu season in October 2018 to Feb. 16, an estimated 17.7 million to 20.4 million people have been stricken with the flu in the United States, and many are coming down with the more severe influenza A H3N2 strain.
Almost half—8.2 million to 9.6 million—went to see a health care provider about their symptoms. From 214,000 to 256,000 were hospitalized for a flu-related illness and an estimated 13,600 to 22,300 have died. Of the deaths, 41 were