Experts across the nation say this year is predicted to be one of the harshest flu seasons we've seen in years. Here in South Bend, doctors and clinics are preparing for impact.
They say this prediction comes from a number of reasons, including cases on the other side of the world. That's because the southern hemisphere sees its flu season before us. Countries like Australia have struggled severely over the last few months and doctors here say it's cause for concern as we approach our flu season.
"I think I've seen numbers like the worst flu season in five years," said Dr. Dan Nafziger, Chief Medical Officer at Goshen Health. "Their flu season is just ending now, at about the time ours starts."
Health experts say the impact felt from the flu season in other parts of the world could be a warning for what is headed our way. Australia has been fighting off Influenza A and B, and it could be an indication for what the U.S. will see over the next few months.
Dr. Nafziger says this years flu shot targets Influenza A and B in preparation.
"There isn't a perfect correlation between what happens within the southern hemisphere and what happens in the northern hemisphere, but there is reason to be concerned if they're seeing a worse flu season in the southern hemisphere that it will follow in the northern hemisphere," said Dr. Nafziger.
Dr. Nafziger says this isn't the only reason numbers could spike this fall. As Covid-19 protocols loosen, it's opening the door for any and all germs to be spread more easily again. That's an easy job for a respiratory illness like Influenza, which can travel simply through the air.
"These are easily spread viruses because they're spread through the air. For other infections, we think about having to swallow the bacteria that might cause diarrhea, or put your hand on the MRSA that can then cause an infection in your skin. But as human beings, we share air with a lot of other human beings," said Dr. Nafziger. "It's much easier to say, 'I'm not gonna touch you' or 'I'm not going to eat the food you serve me,' but it's very hard to say 'I'm not gonna breathe the air that we both share together.'"
Efficient spreading leads to more people with infection, and more patients at places like the South Bend Clinic. When there's a high volume of patients with the flu, it can make it difficult to make room and time for everyone dealing with different illnesses.
"We'll have the flu to deal with, but we'll also still have some Covid to deal with. We're still seeing new cases every week here. So, if you put that all together, it's going to make for a very busy illness year this year," said Dr. James Harris, an Allergist and Head of the Flu Shot Clinic at the South Bend Clinic.
That's why the South Bend Clinic is pushing for those who can to get the flu shot now. Dr. Harris says it can take about four weeks for the flu shot to be maximally effective, so now is the perfect time to get it. The clinic is open for walk-in flu shots Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays 8 a.m. to noon in the Allergy Department. Dr. Harris says while the flu shot is not 100% effective, it does block the reaction you might get from Influenza.
Dr. Nafziger says a major sign of Influenza is a high fever. He recommends you seek professional care if you believe you have Influenza and are not able to keep up with eating and drinking, have symptoms of being dehydrated or have difficulty breathing.