EAST NORTHPORT, N.Y. (WABC) — What Frank Bosco thought was a routine cold turned into a life-threatening battle with the flu that left him hospitalized for months and serves as a stark reminder of the risks of severe influenza illness.<\/p>\n
“I thought it was just a regular cold,” Bosco said.<\/p>\n
Bosco, 63, of East Northport, contracted the flu during the previous flu season and nearly died, according to Northwell Health officials. He spent 116 days in three Northwell hospitals, at one point requiring dialysis and being placed on a lung transplant list.<\/p>\n
His wife, Theresa Bosco, said the ordeal took a major toll on the family.<\/p>\n
“I took a four-month leave of absence from my job so I could be with him,” she said through tears.<\/p>\n
The Boscos said they hope their experience underscores the dangers of influenza and going unvaccinated. Both said they had not previously received flu vaccinations.<\/p>\n
“Never got the flu, knock wood. So I figured, you know, I figured it’s not broken don’t fix it type of thing,” Theresa Bosco said.<\/p>\n
“I really didn’t believe it,” Frank Bosco added.<\/p>\n
Doctors at North Shore University Hospital said flu season has already begun, with 10 people hospitalized there so far. While influenza vaccines do not prevent every infection, physicians said they can reduce the risk of severe illness and death.<\/p>\n
“Don’t let that happen with influenza. Every American over the age of 6 months should get a flu shot every year,” said Dr. Bruce Farber, Northwell’s chief of epidemiology.<\/p>\n
Health officials also said testing of thousands of samples indicates flu activity started earlier in the region this year, making vaccination especially important now.<\/p>\n
“Flu is going to be at its peak for the holidays this year. That’s a good two months earlier than the last couple of years,” said Dr. Dwayne Breining of Northwell Lab Services.<\/p>\n
Doctors noted that influenza viruses can mutate, and a newer mRNA-based flu vaccine may be able to adapt more quickly and provide a closer match to circulating strains. However, they said the vaccine may have stronger side effects and is not yet widely available.<\/p>\n
For Frank Bosco, the message is simple.<\/p>\n
“You don’t wanna get sick like I did. It’s very, very tough coming back. I got lucky that I came back,” he said.<\/p>\n
Bosco recently celebrated his son’s wedding after recovering from the illness, an outcome his family once feared might not happen.<\/p>\n
“They didn’t think he was gonna make it on Valentine’s Day,” Theresa Bosco said.<\/p>\n
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