This Flu Season Just 'Average,' Says Health Department

From the Will County Health Department:

JOLIET, IL — Despite recent reports of norovirus in Kane County and a bit of a rise in overall Will County influenza numbers the last two weeks of December, the current flu season is being described as “average.”

Will County Health Department Epidemiology and Infectious Disease Coordinator Dr. Alpesh Patel reminds us that every year keeping track of the flu season’s progress is very important.

“It allows you to know what strain of influenza is the most active, how it matches components of the current season’s flu vaccine, and whether there is an early amount of ER visits.” Patel stated that those emergency room visits are always an important thing to watch. “The flu season usually peaks in late February, but if there is a spike in ER visits early, then you may have a problem.”

It is also important to remember that what goes into the 70 to 75 million doses of flu vaccine throughout the United States is determined immediately after the previous flu season has ended. “It takes six to nine months to produce all of the vaccine,” Patel explained. “Doctors and pharmacists are ready to offer flu shots in September. So the vaccine they have is based on how the previous flu season ended, and what may be happening in other parts of the world.”

If a surprise comes along, then a special vaccine may be needed. A recent example of this was the H1N1 Virus situation in 2009. “It started off in a very different way, not in a typical pattern,” Patel recalls, “with all the emergency room visits reported from hospitals.”

There was an immediate effort in Will and surrounding counties that year to set up special vaccination clinics, and to get the word out. “Something like what happened with H1N1 can be kind of a test,” Patel said. “Can we get the special cleaning done throughout schools? Can we get the vaccine to where it’s needed?”

One thing Patel emphasizes is that most flu seasons have very typical characteristics. Approximately 25,000 people die from influenza nationwide each season. And quite often, many of them are elderly. So if you have a parent living alone, what can you do?

Patel says that more than anything else, “Make sure they are following good hygiene and health practices.” It is also important to note that any tales out there about an extremely cold winter having less flu and a warm winter having more flu are just not true.

“There is no such thing,” Patel said. “More than anything, the flu is influenced by people’s behavior and interaction. When a lot of people get together and do not practice good hygiene, such as covering their mouths and washing their hands, that’s a bigger factor than the weather.”

Patel says it is always best to get your flu shot early, since it takes two to three weeks to be completely effective. But on the other hand, it is never too late to get one. Flu shots continue to be available at the Will County Health Department’s Community Health Center, located at 1106 Neal Ave.

Will County Health Department Infectious Disease Coordinator Dr. Alpesh Patel | image via Will County Health Department