Charlotte doctor warns of ‘big flu season’ after cases triple in North Carolina
A Charlotte doctor predicted a severe flu season this winter after the number of cases in North Carolina skyrocketed in October.
“This is going to be a big flu season according to how the cases look in North Carolina,” said Dr. Usha Balmuri, a family medicine physician at Atrium Health Ballantyne.
There were 2,748 flu cases reported by hospitals in North Carolina during the week of Oct. 29 – nearly three times as many as the previous week, according to to data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
For comparison, there were roughly 615 hospitalizations for acute respiratory illness reported during October 2019, according to data from NCDHHS. Data was not available for the 2020-21 flu season.
Flu season is projected to be more severe this year compared to previous years, Balmuri said, adding that a more contagious strain of the virus is already spreading throughout Southern states.
“Usually flu season starts with Influenza A followed by Influenza B, but during this flu season we are seeing early Influenza B infections,” Balmuri said. “This switch in pattern could be the reason for rapid spread as Influenza B viral shedding starts even before the infected person starts experiencing symptoms.”
North Carolina saw its first pediatric flu death of the season on Nov. 2, NCDHHS reported. The agency has reported five confirmed adult flu-related deaths in the state this year.
Young children and individuals with chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, are especially susceptible to serious illness from the flu, Balmuri said.
What are flu symptoms?
Most flu patients, Balmuri said, experience symptoms that mimic those of COVID, including fever, malaise, fatigue, body aches and mild cough, Balmuri said.
“Most of the time, it’s difficult to differentiate between those two infections,” Balmuri said. “It’s very likely that you can get a coinfection. That’s the reason why we strongly encourage our patients to get a flu shot and a COVID shot.”
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Atrium Health patients can schedule an appointment with their doctor for their flu shots. Flu vaccines are available for anyone older than six months, Balmuri said, adding that those who are unvaccinated should get their shots “as soon as possible.”
Many pharmacy chains — CVS, Harris Teeter, Walgreens and Walmart — also offer flu shot appointments and walk-in vaccine clinics.
In addition to getting vaccinated, Balmuri said the best way to prevent flu infections is to avoid close contact with sick people.
“If you are having any flu symptoms, we recommend that you stay home, hydrate, contact your doctor as soon as possible and take symptomatic treatment so you don’t spread the infection,” Balmuri said.
How to prevent the flu
Here are some other ways you can prevent flu infections, according to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention:
Cover your coughs and sneezes
Wash your hands often with soap and water
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
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Charlotte Observer reporter Mary Ramsey contributed to this story.
