Protect Against Severe Flu

December 5, 2022

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) reports:

  • Influenza severity for Massachusetts is HIGH as of 12/2/2022.
  • The percent of influenza-like illness (ILI) visits in Massachusetts is 4.17%, which is higher than the regional baseline of 2.0% and the previous three seasons in the same week.
  • The percent of hospitalizations associated with influenza is 1.22%, which is higher than the previous three seasons in the same week.
  • The number of influenza vaccine doses administered this flu season is slightly lower than the previous two seasons in the same week. The vaccination rate for all ages is 36%.
  • More influenza A than influenza B positive specimens have been reported by hospitals and outpatient facilities in Massachusetts.
  • Seasonal influenza activity is elevated across the country.

Source: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/weekly-flu-report

What is Influenza (Flu)?

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Flu Symptoms

Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

  • fever* or feeling feverish/chills
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • muscle or body aches
  • headaches
  • fatigue (tiredness)
  • some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Complications of Flu

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

People at Higher Risk from Flu

Anyone can get flu (even healthy people), and serious problems related to flu can happen at any age, but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant people, and children younger than 5 years.

Preventing Seasonal Flu

The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu vaccine each year. Flu vaccine has been shown to reduce flu related illnesses and the risk of serious flu complications that can result in hospitalization or even death. CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions (like staying away from people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and frequent handwashing) to help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat, and lungs) illnesses, like flu.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm 

Get information from our health experts delivered to your inbox. Sign up today!

Upcoming Events

Recent Events

Youth Ambassadors Urge Their Friends to "Get Vax'd"

SBCHC Youth Ambassadors Urge their friends to "Get Vax'd"

Wellness Tips

Your Guide to Fall Vaccines

Looking for information on…

Read More »

Food Assistance with the WIC Program

Do you need help…

Read More »

Free, wealth-building opportunity for families

Have you heard about…

Read More »

SBCHC Spotlight

Get Ready for Harbor of Hope 2024!

Help us to build a…

Read More »

SBCHC Expands Urgent Care Options

South Boston Community Health Center…

Read More »

South Boston Community Health Center Wins 2023 MHQP Patient Experience Award

South Boston Community Health Center…

Read More »

What You're Saying

“Deserves 5 stars. Pediatrics department is amazing. Always accommodating, quick with answering questions, super doctors and staff all around. Love!”
Pediatrics
Parent of Pediatrics Patient 2024
“We are an elderly couple who have been patients at the SBCHC clinic for many years. Dr. Saxena stands out for correctness and creating a warm and very communicative doctor-patient environment. The doctor listens very attentively and calmly to everything you tell him. Simplicity in communication, diagnosis, and continuous patient condition monitoring make this doctor stand out from the rest.”
Dr. Saxena
Adult Medicine Patients 2024
“I feel that it is a well-oiled machine, with Dr. Brout at South Boston. I just can't say enough good things! They know why I am there without a computer, since everybody knows what is going on with me, all staff. Everybody is on the same page, for a level of healthcare I had never experienced.”
Family Medicine/Dr Brout
Family Medicine Patient 2022
“I like the doctors my son has. They listen, are very understanding, and seem like they care. I just like how they are with my son.”
BH Parent
Parent of Behavioral Health Patient 2022
“I like the attentiveness and feeling heard. I appreciate the fact that providers always make me feel involved in decisions.”
Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health Patient 2022
“I like that the service is more personalized because you know the people, and that is very important.”
Dental
Dental Patient 2022
“I liked that they were attentive and fast. They gave me the support I needed and were empathetic and organized. I went to a lot of departments, and all of the staff was this way.”
Family Medicine
Family Medicine Patient 2022
“The staff in the lab, Verinta or "V," is amazing. My son was literally giddy with delight at her joking and playfulness. He was actually so happy with her, he didn't react to the blood draw, but then cried outside a tiny bit with a delayed reaction like "hey, wait, that hurt." She is an absolutely phenomenal addition to the phlebotomy team! Overall, a great experience.”
May 2019
Parent of a Pediatric Patient
“Dr. Kane always asks me if I understand everything and whether or not I need further clarification... I really appreciate him explaining everything so in depth.”
2018
Eye Care Patient 2018
“There’s an emphasis on education here. Dr. Chiakpo and Marianna (a nurse in training) provided a lot of background concerning my issue and even brought in diagrams, which I greatly appreciated, since I’m a visual learner. They both gave me space to ask questions on everything. I really appreciated the time they spent with me.”
2018
Family Medicine Patient 2018