Flu season is arriving earlier than expected, doctors say, with Colorado and Michigan reporting record numbers of kids in emergency rooms.
Early Surge Across the Nation
Doctors across the country say flu season has arrived earlier than usual and is hitting people – mainly kids, so far – especially hard. “I don’t think I ever remember seeing it this severe, this soon,” said Dr. Suchitra Rao, an infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora. “Our emergency department is full of kids coming in with the flu.” Colorado is one of the nation’s current hot spots of flu activity, according to the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Michigan, too, is experiencing a marked increase in cases. “Flu, flu, flu. So much flu,” said Dr. Debra Langlois, a pediatrician at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. “We are inundated.”
Symptoms and Risks for Children
Dr. John Schieffelin, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, is also seeing a surge in bad cases, particularly among kids who haven’t had their flu shots. “The kids who are vaccinated are doing just fine” recovering at home, Schieffelin said. “It’s the unvaccinated children that we’re seeing in the hospital.” New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows more children are severely sick or dying from the flu. Natalie Martinez reports.
Langlois said she and her colleagues are seeing a fair amount of classic flu symptoms: fevers, body aches and extreme fatigue. Anecdotally, Langlois said that she’s also seeing kids with severe headaches and dizziness. Her 7-year-old daughter had the flu last week and described the feeling like this: “I feel dizzy, like I’m spinning when I’m trying to walk.” Dehydration was the likely cause, Langlois said. Some kids may also experience gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea. But those symptoms could also arise because of a secondary virus. Children who have “persistent” fevers lasting two to three days, Langlois said, should be seen by a doctor.
Tamiflu Demand Spikes
Pharmacies say demand for the antiviral drug Tamiflu is also increasing. When given within the first 24 hours or so of flu symptoms, the drug has been shown to make people feel better about a day earlier than expected. A Walgreens spokesperson said the pharmacy chain is seeing “very high demand” for Tamiflu nationwide. The company recently saw its supply run low but has since ordered additional stock, the spokesperson said. According to the Walgreens Respiratory Index – a weekly online tool that tracks the spread of respiratory illnesses – demand for over-the-counter at-home flu tests has jumped 61% nationwide over the last two weeks. In New York state, where flu activity is considered very high, according to the CDC, week-over-week demand is up 23%, while the two-week increase stands at 111%.
Antonio Ciaccia, president of 3 Axis Advisory, said he’s hearing from a number of independent pharmacies across the U.S. who say they’re struggling to meet demand for Tamiflu. “We are seeing an early heavy wave of flu cases, which is likely pushing a bit of unexpected pressure on the broader drug distribution channel and its supply,” Ciaccia said. Steve Moore, who runs an independent pharmacy in Plattsburgh, New York, said his primary supplier is not experiencing shortages of Tamiflu. His backup supplier, however, is currently out of stock.
While Tamiflu can be helpful, Langlois said it’s no “miracle cure.” The antiviral is authorized for people 2 weeks and older, and is generally most effective when given within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms. “The thing to think about for Tamiflu is that it shortens the duration of symptoms by about a day,” Langlois said. “It’s really best reserved for high-risk patients, like patients with chronic lung disease, and young kiddos under age 2.”
Prevention and Advice
UCSF infectious disease specialist Dr. Peter Chin-Hong tells us what to expect this flu season and how we can protect ourselves and our family. If you’re sick, stay home. “The best thing is prevention,” Langlois said, “and that’s getting your flu shot.” The CDC recommends annual flu vaccines for everyone 6 months and older. Doctors worry that kids who are sick with flu now could spread it to grandparents and other older adults over the holidays. “At the risk of being a Grinch, if you have the flu and you actively have fevers, then you should stay home. Don’t go to family gatherings,” said Dr. Bernard Camins, medical director for infection prevention for Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. “People will understand.”
Key Takeaways
- Early flu season in Colorado and Michigan is overwhelming emergency departments, especially for children.
- Vaccinated children fare better; unvaccinated kids are more likely to require hospital care.
- Demand for Tamiflu and at-home flu tests is rising sharply, straining pharmacy supplies.
The surge in flu cases, the spike in antiviral demand, and the clear message from doctors underscore the need for vaccination and early treatment. Parents and caregivers should monitor symptoms closely and seek medical care for persistent fevers or severe illness. With the CDC urging annual shots for all, the best defense remains prevention.
