ST. LOUIS – According to the City of St. Louis Department of Health, influenza activity is moderate but increasing.
Some 363 new cases were reported between Jan. 19 and Jan. 25. A social media post urges people to stop the spread and get your flu vaccination for added protection.
It’s the small steps that can make a big difference.
“Flu is up in the community right now. We’re seeing at least about double the flu than Covid,” Dr. Paul Hansen with Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care said.
One West County Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care has seen a rise in cases over the past week.
“Typical flu-like symptoms are fever, body aches, cough, congestion, and sore throat. Sometimes people get confused between the stomach flu and influenza. Influenza can have a GI component with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. But that’s not the prominence. Usually those cold symptoms with the higher fevers,” Hansen added.
One might think that we’re past the holidays and through cold and flu season.
“Flu season is actually October through April,” Dr. Sarah George from St. Louis University Center for Vaccine Development added. “A bit of a later start this year. There was a peak of Covid infections over the holidays, and that flu would be peaking around now is no surprise.”
Health care professionals encourage the public to get the flu vaccine, even if you’ve had the flu this winter.
Doctors are keeping an eye on rising numbers and share a reminder for all.
“Frequent hand washing,” George said. “A lot of them are spread by someone coughing or sneezing, and then you shake hands with their dirty hand, and you touch your eyes, your mouth, and your nose. You actually inoculate yourself. Not intentionally, of course, but it happens.”