GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) –
Flu season is here, and it may be stronger than ever.
Doctor Edward Morales of Prevea Infectious Disease says numbers are much different than last year.
“We are starting to see the amount of cases that are starting to increase locally in our health system within the last week or so, and those cases are likely to increase.”
At Prevea Health’s partner hospitals in Green Bay 52 confirmed flu cases have been reported since December 1. Those numbers compared to 13 in the same time frame last year are alarming.
Across Northeast and Western Wisconsin, the numbers are similar. 54 confirmed cases this year since August and December has been a rough month. At this time last year, those numbers were 29 cases.
Doctor Morales says two words come to mind…Flu Shot
“Overall, people don’t get vaccinated, and while the vaccine may not always prevent the disease, it actually does decrease the amount of complications related to influenza.”
Doctor Morales says one misconception is that it is too late to get the flu shot.
“It takes about two weeks to get the full benefit from the vaccine, but during that time, you are actually starting to build up your defenses against the infection.”
Other factors that play into how strong the flu can be are age and previous health conditions and the amount of traveling a person does.
