PITTSBURGH \u2014 The flu is surging nationwide, and we aren\u2019t anywhere near the peak of infections. <\/p>\n
For the next several weeks, Dr. Amesh Adalja expects to see an increase in flu cases, with illnesses not leveling off until after February.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s finding a population that has little immunity. It\u2019s able to spread very quickly and rapidly through that population because of this new variant that is dominant,\u201d said Infectious Disease Doctor Amesh Adalja.<\/p>\n
Because we haven\u2019t reached peak flu season, Dr. Adalja told Channel 11, he recommends still getting a flu shot if you haven\u2019t yet. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not too late to get the flu shot because the flu peaks in February traditionally and remember the flu vaccine covers three different strains of flu. Later in the season, other types of flu might dominate,\u201d Adalja said.<\/p>\n
According to the CDC, Pennsylvania is currently in the \u201cmoderate\u201d activity level for the flu, with some of the highest states being New York, South Carolina, and Louisiana. <\/p>\n
Here in Pittsburgh, Dr. Adalja has noticed the surge in cases. <\/p>\n
\u201cCases are increasing in the Pittsburgh area. They don\u2019t seem to be translating into more ICU or severe cases, but there are people hospitalized,\u201d Adalja said.<\/p>\n
Even though there have been hospitalizations, the good news is, Dr. Adalja doesn\u2019t predict a major strain on hospitals, like there was with COVID. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nothing like, for example, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. There\u2019s no pressure on hospitals in terms of ICU beds, ventilators, but obviously, emergency departments can be busier, and urgent cares can be busy when a lot of people are getting sick with influenza,\u201d Adalja said.<\/p>\n
His biggest advice is to stay home if you get it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is where we want people to stay home from work. We want people to try and work from home if you can and want children to stay out of school if they have influenza,\u201d Adalja said. <\/p>\n
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