The flu season can be a difficult time for Northland residents are fighting off several respiratory illnesses. About 44% of adults nationwide got flu shots this winter, the same as last winter. The number of children vaccinated is way down, at about 45% this winter. It’s usually around 50%, according to CDC data.

Dr. Jane Rudd has worked as a family doctor with Essentia Health for 20 years. She says they see anywhere between 30 to 60 patients at all times suffering from COVID and the flu.

“I’m told this is the worst flu year in about 15 years. I think what people forget about influenza is that it can have complications,” Dr. Rudd said. “Our hospital has a fair number of influenza and COVID cases every day that are being admitted. So it’s not just a cold. It can be much more serious, especially if people have underlying conditions.”

If you are still have flu-like symptoms after 10 days it’s recommended you make a medical appointment. Those prolonged symptoms could be symptomatic of bacterial pneumonia, strep throat or a different virus.

“Once you run down, the bacteria love it, and so they move in, so we’re seeing more strep too,” Dr. Rudd said. “So influenza, strep, COVID, and RSV is another respiratory virus that we’re seeing much more commonly in the last few weeks as well.”

Dr. Dylan Wyatt an emergency medical doctor with Aspirus St. Luke’s says there could be people sick with more than just one illness this flu season.

“Flu sort of breaks down the walls, the defenses that keep bacterial infections from setting in and allow bacteria to come in and set up shop. Those can actually be very dangerous,” Dr. Wyatt said. “Influenza is a very virulent and symptomatic infection. Fevers are high, body aches are extreme. It feels like what COVID did back in the beginnings of the 2020s.”

Medical doctors recommend getting the flu vaccine every year. There are different strains that cause the illness. It’s still not too late to get your immunizations if you haven’t already.

“So the more prevention we can do, hand washing, being vigilant about our symptoms and our family symptoms to prevent the spread will save lives. It will save lives. It sounds like a broken record at this point, but it will.”

Here’s more information about the number of patients hospitalized with the flu. Also here’s another story about another virus prevalent this flu season.