If you’re living in Chicago, it may seem like everyone you know is sick.
And while it’s not quite everyone, the Chicago area and the nation are facing a serious spike in flu cases. This flu season could be the most intense in 15 years, according to the percentage of doctors’ visits for flu-like symptoms, which can indicate the severity of the virus’ spread.
Last week’s number of those visits was higher than any other figure since the 2009-10 season, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Chicago, 6.2% of all weekly visits to emergency departments were attributed to the flu as of Feb. 1, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. That’s almost a full percentage point more compared with last season’s peak of 5.3%.
Of all flu tests given, 22.6% were positive as of Feb. 1, according to CDPH. Last year, the percentage of positive tests peaked at 14.5%. Statewide, Illinois reported a high flu activity level, according to CDC data as of February 1. States across the South are reporting very high activity levels and only five states have reported low or minimal activity levels.
This flu season started later than in years past, and the symptoms tend to be more severe and last longer than a typical flu season, said Dr. Sindhu Aderson, central region medical director for Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care.
Several patients are still running a fever of 101-102 degrees after five to seven days of the onset of symptoms, while she typically expects patients to begin feeling better between days three and five.
“Right now we are seeing a significant increase in the disease and seeing a big spread,” Aderson said, adding the spread could have intensified during holiday gatherings. “At that time maybe you thought you had a small cold, and really you maybe had the flu.”
People who are immunocompromised, elderly or otherwise at risk for a serious progression of flu should seek treatment sooner rather than later to prevent severe symptoms, Aderson said. Medications like Tamiflu or Xofluza could help people avoid contracting the flu from others in their household, she said.
Cook County health officials predicted a harsh flu season while encouraging residents to get their flu vaccine last fall. As of Feb. 1, 25.1% of Chicagoans had gotten a flu shot, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Aderson said because the vaccine uptake was low this year, it’s not surprising this flu season has been intense. But it’s not too late to get the shot to prevent the illness and minimize its severity, she said.
“If you haven’t had the flu this year, and you have not had the flu shot, I would say it’s not too late to get a flu shot,” Aderson said. “It can still protect you and your family members.”