Flu season in New Hampshire is not as bad as in other parts of the country, but doctors are starting to see an uptick in cases.
Dr. Pamela Hofley, medical director at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester-Bedford, says New Hampshire is just starting to head into peak flu season, which lasts through April.
“The New Hampshire flu activity level is certainly widespread in the state but still we’re considered low-level activity throughout the country, although we’re just starting to see an uptick,” she says.
Speaking on The Exchange today, Hofley says it is not too late to get the flu vaccine. She recommends people in at-risk populations - including pregnant women - reach out to their doctors.
“We have anti-viral drugs available that are very effective against the flu if they are given in the first 48 hours that you get symptoms. And that’s why we are encouraging people - call us if you are in a high-risk group.”
[LISTEN TO THE EXCHANGE "flu season" update]
Flu symptoms include body aches, chills, cough, sore throat, sneezing. The vaccine for the H3N2 virus strain is about 30 percent effective, she says. The shot can lessen how ill one gets if they contract the virus..
The state of New Hampshire reported last week that at least10 adults have died from the virus in the Granite State since September.
