For more than two years now, we’ve been focused on Covid. As the masks come off, let’s not forget about influenza.
We’re still in flu season, and as the masks come off flu cases across the country are going up.
“Flu isn’t over. It’s been a much better year than we usually see, but we’re still seeing cases and we’re seeing them perhaps a little bit more now,” said Dr. John Swartzberg, expert on infectious diseases at the UC Berkeley school of Public Health.
Dr. Swartzberg says there a good chance flu season, which typically ends in early April, may extend a little later this year.
“So, I’d continue to do everything you can to prevent getting influenza. It’s not a fun disease,” he said.
That means frequently washing your hands, wearing a mask if you’re around people who might be sick, and getting the flu shot, if you’re not yet vaccinated.
“Within two weeks you’re going to be protected,” Dr. Swartzberg said. “And that protection could really pay off, both in terms of preventing you from getting so sick that you wind up in the hospital and die, but it also pays off in terms of preventing you from getting sick at all.”
More Info:
CDC weekly U.S. influenza surveillance report
As Covid-19 cases fall and masks come off, flu cases are rising
