Health experts: Flu season peaking now

• Reprints

Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

Many who didn’t get their flu shot in the fall are regretting that decision now, as area health care experts say influenza is hitting hard this month.

“We saw the first large increases in the number of positive tests in December and on into January,” said Gail Steele, an infection prevention specialist at Morris Hospital, on Friday. “I think we peaked in January, which is a fairly normal time to see this peak.”

Family physician Dr. John Pollastrini of the Provena Medical Group of New Lenox said he is seeing the height of the flu season now.

“We are certainly starting to peak now,” he said. “This is the most flu we’ve seen all season. Up until this week, it’s been lighter, but now I’d say we’re seeing more. This is typical of the flu season.”

Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers, Steele said, is seeing more flu cases in children and young people, but not as many in older patients.

“Those over 65 are pretty compliant with getting the vaccine, and the vaccine is the primary preventative measure against the flu,” she said. “I do want to emphasize the importance of parents getting their kids the vaccine. It’s important.”

Not too late to get vaccinated

If you’re regretting not being vaccinated, especially as friends and co-workers become ill, it’s not too late, Steele said.

Vaccines are still available at many locations and can still protect those who might come into contact with the virus this season. It takes a couple of weeks, she warned, for the body to build up protection against the flu virus after the vaccine is administered.

Those who want to get the shot shouldn’t worry about it causing the flu, she added. That’s a misconception. The flu vaccine contains viruses that are not capable of causing disease.

Symptoms of respiratory influenza, or the flu, include high fever, cough, all-over body aches and respiratory symptoms.

“A high fever is the kicker,” Steele said. “That’s when you know it’s not just a cold. It comes on pretty suddenly.”

The strains of the virus this year seem to be split evenly between Types A and B. Normally, Type A is more common, Steele said.

The infection specialist also advises those with flu-like symptoms to stay home to prevent spreading it to others.

Steele said they should see a physician if they have trouble breathing, have a high fever they can’t control, or have so much vomiting and nausea that they become dehydrated. This is something to take seriously, she said.

The flu can also lead to such secondary infections as pneumonia and sinus infections.