During this flu season, it is more important than ever to do your part to help protect you and those around you from this deadly illness. The flu season in our region typically begins at the end of October and lasts through April. The sooner you get your flu shot, the better you will be prepared for it. This is even more concerning given the combination of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and a busy flu season. This combination could easily overwhelm the health care system.
Many respiratory viruses, including both influenza and COVID-19, have similar symptoms, including cough, sore throat, shortness of breath and fever. The hallmark of the flu is sudden onset and intense muscle aches, which is not typically the case with COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses. While COVID-19 has a similar set of symptoms, some patients experience a rapid deterioration from a respiratory perspective which is less