UVA Health sees flu cases increase as season starts early

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Flu season has started early, and doctors at UVA Health are reminding people to protect themselves from the virus.

“The reason to get a flu vaccine is it can help prevent you getting the flu. But even if you get the flu, it can attenuate your course.” UVA Health director of hospital epidemiology Dr. Costi Sifri said.

UVA Health saw a two-fold increase in flu cases this past week.

That echoes increased positivity rates being seen across the country, in Washington, Oregon and California.

Typically, the positivity rate is 1% for this time of year. Right now, it is nearing 10%.

“An early season with cases starting to percolate here in early November, and actually we’re starting to see this uptick in the end of October, is a little bit earlier than most.” Sifri said.

He added that this year’s flu variant may have mutated and could be responsible for the increase in cases.

“Time will tell if that ends up being seen elsewhere around the country, but at least there’s some early information to suggest that that may be part of the issue right now.” He said.

Sifri says an early flu season does not necessarily mean it will end any quicker. A vaccine could prevent a person from catching the flu again later this season.

Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here.