CommonHealth: Flu Hits Mass. Early, With Force

09:35

January 08, 2013

In the United States, the flu season can range from November through March, and even past March in some years. Here, a CDC employee receives a flu vaccine from CDC Staff Nurse. (James Gathany/CDC)

During the last week of 2012, 5.6% of patient visits reported through the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) were due to influenza-like illness (ILI). This percentage is above the national baseline of 2.2%. (CDC) — CLICK TO ENLARGE: Flu cases have spiked earlier than previous years. During the last week of 2012, 5.6% of patient visits were due to influenza-like illness (ILI). This is above the national baseline of 2.2%. (Courtesy of the CDC)

The current flu season (which runs November to March) is hitting Massachusetts early — and with a force.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mass. Department of Public Health show that not only have cases of flu-like illness spiked earlier than seasons past, but they're also more widespread.

This flu season is atypical in a number of ways, and we speak with an infectious disease physician about what makes this year's flu so bad and what you can do to try to protect yourself.

Guest:

Carey Goldberg, co-host of WBUR's CommonHealth blog
Dr. Robin Colgrove, physician in the infectious disease division at Mount Auburn Hospital

More:

Can You Get A Flu Shot And Still Get The Flu?
CommonHealth: Doctor’s Dispatch: Three Unusual Aspects Of This Year’s Early Flu
Centers For Disease Control And Prevention: Seasonal Flu

This segment aired on January 8, 2013.