The Chicago Department of Public Health is warning that flu activity in the city is higher than usual for this time of year. Doctors stress, however, that there is no cause for major concern, and they are urging people to get vaccinated.
According to city officials, the share of flu tests coming back positive is 2.1%, which is higher than at the same point in previous flu seasons. Even so, health care representatives say overall virus activity remains relatively low.
Dr. Constantine Kanakis, a clinical pathologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, said flu activity is noticeably higher than at this time last year, but the overall level of illness is currently low. “It’s certainly higher than last year, but overall, it’s still at a fairly low level. At the moment, I don’t see anything that would cause concern,” Kanakis said.
He noted that higher-than-usual numbers in October do not necessarily mean the coming flu season will be more severe. But he added that because the flu virus is already circulating, delaying vaccination could increase susceptibility to infection. “With most vaccines, it takes about a week or two for the body to respond and mount an immune response. In public health and prevention, it’s always better to act early,” Kanakis said. The doctor acknowledged that even if the vaccine does not prevent every infection, it can help ease symptoms and reduce the risk of serious complications.
The Chicago Department of Public Health also reports that flu-related hospitalizations and intensive care admissions remain low across all age groups. Residents who have not yet been vaccinated can get free flu and COVID-19 shots at city vaccination sites and at occasional vaccination events throughout Chicago.
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Source: Polski.FM
