The flu season typically peaks in every year in February and March. This year’s flu season has lingered on longer than usual – and is still considered widespread in Illinois. Although it is recommended to get your flu shot before the season hits – like in late October or November – it never hurts to get your flu shot late in the season too. The flu vaccine can usually take two weeks to go into effect, and since people can still get the flu during summer months, a late-March flu shot isn’t out of the question. This year, the Knox County Health Department administered over 800 flu shots. People 64 and older are the most susceptible to the flu. In the peak of the flu season last year in Illinois, the number of “Influenza like Illness” hospital visits reached over 700 the week of February 11th, 2017 for those 64 and older. This year, those hospital visits reached nearly 1200 in mid-February, and over 1,000 ICU admissions. Overall, influenza A viruses have predominated this season, but recently, the proportion of influenza A viruses has declined, and influenza B viruses were more frequently reported. With over 133 reported influenza-related pediatric deaths across the nation, and over 24,000 flu-related hospitalizations nationwide, this season is officially more dangerous than 2009’s swine flu. Dr. James Lindbom with OSF Healthcare St Luke Medical Center in Kewanee details why this flu season has been so severe. “The current predominant strain that’s going around, the H2N3 strain, comes around every few years,” Lindbom told WKEI in Kewanee. “We know when we see it – the level of severity is going to be worse. Flu season started early this year in the month of November, and was widespread nationally throughout the country at the same time.” The flu season can run as long as into the month of May. Regardless of the late-season, the same rules apply: wash your hands, cover your cough, and stay home if you’re sick.
