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Public health authorities are warning of a second wave of increased flu activity in the Midwest and parts of the South.
It can affect anyone, young or old.
“No one is immune from the flu,” said Dr. Katrina Skinner, a pediatrician in Fairhope, Alabama. “So even people who are super healthy and have no underlying health conditions can still get severely ill from the flu or even die from the flu.”
Flu cases in the U.S. jumped more than 16 percent last week.
While Florida has a lower number of cases compared to neighboring states, the CDC puts us in a moderate activity level.
“If someone coughs or sneezes and they have the flu and you’re nearby, you can breathe in those germs and then there’s a chance you’ll be infected with the flu and you’ll start feeling sick too,” Dr. Skinner said.
Stacy Davis is a registered pharmacist. She has pharmacies in Gulf Shores and Lillian, Alabama.
She says her office has seen an uptick in people needing flu medications.
“We’ve seen a significant increase since the first of the year in dispensing medications for flu, strep throat, and other viral illnesses,” Davis said.
One possible reason for the increase in cases could be the lack of vaccinations.
The CDC says more than half of Americans haven’t gotten their flu shot.
“Physicians are seeing an increase in vaccine hesitancy in general since the pandemic and I think that affects flu vaccinations as well,” Dr. Skinner said.
Dr. Skinner adds many people are just busier after the pandemic.
“I am seeing a lot of my families who normally prioritize the flu vaccine, they’re just forgetting,” she said.
But she advises people to get on top of it — for their sake and for the sake of others.
“This year the flu vaccine has shown to be a pretty good match for the circulating strain, so if you do get a vaccine, there’s a good chance you’re gonna be pretty well protected,” Dr. Skinner said.
Dr. Skinner says it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine. She recommends everyone 6 months or older to get one.