BOSTON (WHDH) - As travel ramps up for the holidays, doctors are warning about surging cases of influenza. With so many people traveling this time of year, there is also an increased risk of catching Covid-19 and RSV.
Dr. Shira Doron, the Chief Infection Officer for Tufts Medicine, said this year the flu is proving to be a top concern. The Department of Public Health reported “high influenza-like activity.”
“We were pretty surprised when numbers jumped up pretty dramatically,” said Doron. “It just really took off — the data that came in at the end of the week when we looked at last week’s data. We knew it was time to make those additional preparations and get ready for more emergency room visits, more hospitalizations, more staff illness.”
So far this season, the state has reported 13 flu deaths.
Experts said the best way to protect yourself is the flu vaccine.
“The vaccine that we use this year is not a great match to the circulating virus, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it,” said Doron. “We know that the vaccine still works even when its not a perfect match. It works by preventing severe hospitalization and even death.”
Experts also say wearing a mask can help decrease the risk of getting sick. And if you do catch a virus this holiday season, doctors say staying home is the best way to stop the spread of germs.
“Family is important, holidays are important, of course we should be getting together with our loved ones despite the fact that the flu is really picking up out there,” said Doron. “But you do have to realize some people are more vulnerable to severe complications to flu and other respiratory viruses than others.”
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