The flu has hit hard in Oconto County and the surrounding region, according to the Oconto County Health Department.
Influenza-like illness activity is high in the 22-county northeastern region, which includes Oconto County.
“It seems to have escalated earlier than in the past,” said Deb Konitzer, Oconto County health officer.
Cases of the flu typically peak at the end of January and early February.
“The last five years, we haven’t had ‘typical’ from year to year,” Konitzer said.
Flu activity in the state is high as well.
Activity levels, rated a low, moderate and high, are based on laboratory testing and hospitalizations, since the flu is not a reportable illness.
The elevated activity might be a result of a drift in the flu strain, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control, meaning the vaccine issued for the flu season isn’t quite covering this year’s strain.
That was the case for Jan Sutrick, of Abrams, who tested positive for influenza in mid-December, despite being vaccinated. After feeling tired for a couple of days, Sutrick’s symptoms worsened considerably.
“I had chills, fever and all over just a not-well feeling,” she said.
Her symptoms prompted her to seek medical help, and Tamiflu was prescribed.
“I went home and drank a lot of fluids and ate chicken soup and waited it out,” Sutrick said.
Her health care provider said the vaccine was effective against only a third of the flu types circulating this season. Although the vaccine isn’t the best match for this year’s flu strain, Konitzer still recommended people get vaccinated.
“Even though there may be a slight change, the vaccine will still provide some coverage. It may be that you have less complications or they would be less severe than if you had not gotten the vaccine,” she said.
The health department offered two walk-in vaccination clinics in October and also provided free flu vaccines to students in early childhood to 12th grade enrolled in the five county school districts.
The vaccine is still available; to make an appointment with the health department, call 920-834-7000 or talk to a private health care provider.
So far this flu season, 1,155 influenza-associated hospitalizations of children, adolescents and adults have been reported in Wisconsin, according to information provided by the health department. Of these hospitalizations, 69 percent of patients are age 65 or older.
The percentage of senior citizens hospitalized this year is atypical, said Konitzer, although she couldn’t pin down a reason for the trend.
People at higher risk for flu complications are those over 65, young children and individuals with chronic disease, such as asthma or heart problems.
The flu comes on suddenly, and its symptoms are headache, sore throat, cough, fever, extreme fatigue and weakness, and severe body aches.
“If you think you have the flu, call your doctor,” Konitzer said. “If you are ill, stay home, rest, drink plenty of liquids and avoid using alcohol and tobacco.”
Konitzer recommended the following actions as a way to protect against the flu and its potential complications:
• Get a flu shot.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with your upper sleeve, and try to avoid touching your face with your hand. If you use a tissue, throw it away after one use.
• Use your own drinking cups and straws.
• Avoid being exposed to people who are sick with flu-like symptoms.
• Eat nutritious meals, get plenty of rest and do not smoke.
• Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, refrigerator handles, telephones and faucets.
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