Flu and Whooping Cough The flu is hitting children and young adults particularly hard this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 39 pediatric deaths due to flu complications so far this flu season. According to the CDC, influenza B is the most common strain of flu this season, and it tends to sicken more young people than influenza A. It has been nearly 30 years since influenza B was the most common flu virus infecting people in the U.S.
On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Gregory Poland, director of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group will discuss flu, whooping cough and other vaccine topics. Also on the program, Dr. Bruce Pollock, a Mayo Clinic neurologic surgeon, will explain gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery — surgery without a scalpel. And Dr. Maisha Robinson will discuss palliative care.