ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The flu season has been severe this year, with more than 200 people currently hospitalized across the region. Thousands more are managing the illness at home, raising concerns among doctors about what the first weeks of January might bring.
Dr. Joseph Bielecki, a primary care physician with Rochester Regional Health, said, “The most common virus I’m seeing right now is definitely Influenza A, we’re seeing lots of cases run through, especially in the families that are in our office.”
Confirmed flu cases are surging across the region, with Monroe County experiencing the highest numbers. In Ontario County, the DMV was closed on Monday due to a high number of employees calling in sick.
“The coughing, the sneezing, the upset stomachs,” said Jean Chrisman, Ontario County Clerk.
Most confirmed cases locally, statewide, and across the country are flu A. Symptoms include fevers, body aches, nasal congestion, and upper respiratory issues like cough and sore throat.
Doctor explains the symptoms and tests
Dr. Bielecki: “Fevers, body aches, nasal congestion, upper respiratory symptoms like cough and soar throat and they typically come on very quickly so you’re going to know like bam, within a couple of hours, man I do not feel well,”
News10NBC Jennifer Lewke: A lot of people say, I don’t feel good and I don’t know whether I’ve got the flu, whether I’ve got COVID, whether it’s just a bad cold. How do I determine what I’ve got and if that matters in the big scheme of things?
Dr. Bielecki: I typically will test people for major respiratory viruses that we can do something about so, I do flu, covid and RSV for a lot of my patients.
News10NBC Jennifer Lewke: Is it one test or do you need a separate test for each thing?
Dr. Bielecki: Thankfully, it’s just one swab.
According to CDC data, fewer people have received the flu vaccine this year compared to last. Although it’s not as effective against flu A, Dr. Bielecki said it still offers some protection against severe illness.
“It’s still about 40-50% effective in reducing hospitalization rates and still effective at reducing the symptoms you have from flu so, for most people the benefit way out ways the risk,” Bielecki said.
Older adults and children are primarily the ones hospitalized with the flu. If symptoms persist at home without improvement, staying in close contact with a doctor is advised.
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