The US is experiencing a severe flu season, with the highest intensity in about 15 years. Data from the CDC shows a spike in flu-related doctor visits, hospital admissions, and ICU admissions, surpassing last season's peak. Nationwide, nearly one in three influenza tests are positive, and complications like bacterial pneumonia are on the rise. While COVID-19 appears to be declining and RSV cases are fading, flu activity remains high across the country.
Eric HorngThe U.S. winter virus season is in full force, and by one measure is the most intense in about 15 years.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Illinois in the high category for flu cases, and across the Chicago area, emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and ICU admissions for the flu are currently higher than the peak of last season.
"What happens is when we have influenza around for a while, we start to see complications, so we're now seeing patients coming in who have had influenza and then now are developing bacterial pneumonia or other complications," said Dr. Jonathan Pinsky, medical director of infection control for Edward Hospital.
So far this season, the CDC estimates, there have been at least 24 million flu illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths - including at least 57 children. Traditionally, flu season peaks around February.
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