Flu Season Arrives Early

The season of congestion, coughs and body aches is here ahead of schedule. The Centers for Diseas...  More »

The season of congestion, coughs and body aches is here ahead of schedule. The Centers for Disease Control says flu season, which usually starts in January, has begun. Already in Wisconsin four people have died and there are 113 confirmed cases. So far the situation is not as bad in Minnesota. The state health department reports 57 cases. No deaths. Fifty-seven is a big spike over previous years, not counting the H1N1 pandemic in 2009. At this time last year, there were just 11 cases. There were 24 two years ago and 13 four years ago. Health officials say the numbers aren't a reason to panic, but they are a reason to get the vaccine. This year's vaccine should be a good match for the strain that is making people sick. It's the same one that hit in 2003 - 2004 which turned out to be a bad flu season. This is the earliest season since then. Cindy Larson an infection preventionist at United Hospital says early doesn't necessarily mean bad. She says the more people who get vaccinated, the more cases can be prevented. It's not too late to get the flu shot. Health officials urge you not to wait because it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to be effective in your body.  « Less