Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The flu season got a head start in Western New York. One area doctor says the region has been hit hard by the flu this year, and it's more important this year to get that vaccine.
Flu season started two weeks earlier this year, says UB's Dr. Tom Russo and adds we've seen quite a large increase in cases. "New York State has been hit harder than most parts of the country. It started in New York City, and it's spread to Western New York," explains Russo.
Russo says it's not too late to get the influenza vaccine, and there's a particularly important reason this year. "There's a new variant that's circulating. H3N2 has been with us since 1968 but this year, that particular subtype has new mutations that evades to a degree immunity built up previously, whether it's from infection or whether it's from prior vaccination," explains Russo. He states the best means to protect ourselves against this new variant is getting the shot. "Data from England has showed that it although it will be imperfect in preventing infection, will force significant protection, both in children and adults, from landing in hospitals and developing more serious disease," adds Russo.
If you feel sick during the holidays, Russo says stay home. "We do have tests over the counter for both COVID and influenza, and we have antiviral treatments for both, which are best when started early. So if you do develop respiratory tract and symptoms, it would be great if you could be tested," says Russo. He says testing can also be done at a variety of walk in clinics.