CLEVELAND — While the World Health Organization has been discussing how and when to officially declare COVID-19 an "endemic," health experts are finding flu and influenza cases are back on the rise. That includes right here in Northeast Ohio.
Dr. Keith Armitage, Infectious Disease Specialist at University Hospitals, says a spike in flu cases this season are expected.
"With less masking and more social interaction, its not surprising we'll see flu cases," says Dr. Armitage.
The increase in flu and influenza cases are common especially as Covid numbers decline.
Dr. Armitage, who also serves as Medical Director at UH Roe Green Center adds, "I would expect them to ramp up to the level we would see pre-pandemic winter where we would have a very busy flu season but if we do see an increase in the next few weeks it would be typical life before the pandemic."
Cuyahoga Falls resident Diane Kiggans tells 3News that for the past two weeks, she's experienced the worst flu symptoms she's ever felt before.
"I got up and I mean every muscle in my body just ached really bad, really bad. Fatigue was completely terrible," Kiggans said.
According to the CDC, flu and influenza symptoms typically last up to four to five days. But for Kiggans, it's been over two weeks.
"I know there's different strains of that, but they said if you get it should be mild. But i don't know how it could have been worse," she added.
Dr. Armitage agreed Kiggans' symptoms could likely be worse, but believes Kiggans likely contracted a dominant strain of the flu that's circulating this season called H3N2. Experts say, this particular strain tends to mutate faster than other variants of influenza.
Kiggans received a Covid-19 vaccine, booster shot and an annual flu shot this year, but health experts are also saying flu and influenza vaccines are only 40-60 percent effective and this year's flu vaccine is not a good match for the flu strain that's going around.
However, Armitage still recommends getting the annual flu shot to prevent mild symptoms. "The Covid vaccine was incredibly helpful to block the impact of the pandemic and the influenza vaccine is less impactful, but it's still helpful."
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