State health officials report seeing a significant increase in flu activity across the state and the mid-state region is no exception. A Dauphin County infectious disease specialist is warning everyone to get vaccinated.
Everyone who is at least six months of age should get a flu shot this season. Unfortunately, only a third of the population has been vaccinated. This year, doctors expect a worse flu season starting earlier.
"I hear it's going to be a pretty rough season from what the doctors are telling me,” Douglas Stago told us. “So I think everybody should go out and get their shot."
The type of flu being seen in Pennsylvania is more often linked to severe flu seasons. The H3N2 flu can be treated with antiviral drugs, especially when recognized early.
Because it is often transmitted to others before the infected individual feels the effects, the injection is a proactive step to take now.
"I got a flu shot from the doctor,” Leah Trautz told us. “That's what I really try to do. I wash my hands as much as possible.”
Dr. John Goldman, an infectious disease specialist with Pinnacle Health, says the elderly are more likely to get sick. But any one who has any kind of chronic illness like kidney disease or diabetes are also more susceptible, particularly if they already have heart or lung problems.
"So if you have congestive heart failure, you have asthma, you have emphysema and you get the flu, it puts much more strain on your lungs,” explained Dr. Goldman. “Those people are more likely to end up in the hospital. Those people are more likely to get very sick. Those people are at a much higher risk of dying."
Dr. Goldman says it is clearly not too late get the flu shot. Get the vaccination sooner than later.
Or in his words, "it's not too late to prevent yourself from getting sick”.
Everyone who is at least six months of age should get a flu shot this season. Unfortunately, only a third of the population has been vaccinated. This year, doctors expect a worse flu season starting earlier.
"I hear it's going to be a pretty rough season from what the doctors are telling me,” Douglas Stago told us. “So I think everybody should go out and get their shot."
The type of flu being seen in Pennsylvania is more often linked to severe flu seasons. The H3N2 flu can be treated with antiviral drugs, especially when recognized early.
Because it is often transmitted to others before the infected individual feels the effects, the injection is a proactive step to take now.
"I got a flu shot from the doctor,” Leah Trautz told us. “That's what I really try to do. I wash my hands as much as possible.”
Dr. John Goldman, an infectious disease specialist with Pinnacle Health, says the elderly are more likely to get sick. But any one who has any kind of chronic illness like kidney disease or diabetes are also more susceptible, particularly if they already have heart or lung problems.
"So if you have congestive heart failure, you have asthma, you have emphysema and you get the flu, it puts much more strain on your lungs,” explained Dr. Goldman. “Those people are more likely to end up in the hospital. Those people are more likely to get very sick. Those people are at a much higher risk of dying."
Dr. Goldman says it is clearly not too late get the flu shot. Get the vaccination sooner than later.
Or in his words, "it's not too late to prevent yourself from getting sick”.