Published in the February 1, 2018 edition.

WAKEFIELD — This has been a particularly tough flu season.

The U.S government doesn’t track every flu case, but comes up with estimates. One measure is how many people seek medical care. In mid January, one in 15 doctor visits were for symptoms of the flu. That’s the highest level since the swine flu pandemic in 2009.

Locally, Wakefield Health Director Ruth Clay wasn’t able to say whether there have been more cases of flu this year in Wakefield than other years, but did say that there have definitely been confirmed cases in town.

Some good news, at least so far: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that hospital stays and deaths from the flu among the elderly so far haven’t been as high as in some other recent flu seasons. However, hospitalization rates for people 50 to 64 — Baby Boomers, mostly — has been unusually high, CDC officials said.

Clay said that this year’s flu strain is “particularly virulent” and as a result people have been getting sicker.

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness, spread by a virus. It can cause a miserable but relatively mild illness in many people, but more a more severe illness in others. Young children and the elderly are at greatest risk from flu and its complications. In a bad season, there are as many as 56,000 deaths connected to the flu.

In the U.S., annual flu shots are recommended for everyone age 6 months or older.

Asked whether it was too late to get a flu shot for this year, Clay said “absolutely not.” The threat usually continues through April so even getting a flu shot now will help.  Experts say everyone over six months of age should receive a flu vaccination as the most important step in protecting against the flu. So far this year, the Health Department has administered 521 flu shots in Wakefield. Of course, many people have also received the flu shot from their own doctors, from pharmacies or other healthcare providers.

You can still get a flu shot from the Health Department. Wakefield and Melrose share a Health Department, so call the Public Health nurse at the Melrose office to make an appointment. Her number is 781-979-4129.

Clay stressed that in addition to getting vaccinated, there’s something else you can do to reduce your chances of getting sick.

“Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands,” she said.

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