Flu season has arrived. Cases are already being reported to health agencies, though experts say COVID cases are declining. They also recommend that anyone who has yet to get a vaccine do so immediately.
Cases of COVID are average for this time of year, declining following the usual end-of-summer spike, while Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) says cases of influenza are being reported at higher-than-average numbers for the beginning of the season.
Flu cases span all ages and groups, but some people are more susceptible than others.
“Anyone can get sick with flu, COVID, RSV. But yes, we have certain people, populations that we are more concerned about,” said Dr. Danika Williams with NNPH. “So little ones, you know, babies, but also the older elderly, over 65 in some cases, as well as people with underlying health conditions.”
Officials say the best protection against respiratory illnesses is vaccinations and frequent, thorough hand washing.
Renown Health says the best time to get vaccinated is as soon as possible, because it takes about two weeks for a vaccine to become effective.
“CDC recommendation is to get vaccinated as early as beginning of October. We do see some patients try to get vaccinated mid or late September, but we do recommend early October,” said Israa Mahmood with Renown Health. “But if they are unable to, then as soon as they're able to.”
Flu season generally lasts through May, but NNPH reports an earlier start to the season, so it may wrap up early as well.
Starting this week, NNPH will post an update to their respiratory illness dashboard on Fridays. That can be found here.
