Flu season hits early, hard: H3N2 flu, flu symptoms

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Posted: 01/08/2013

BALTIMORE - It's only January, but the flu season is in full force. Doctors say it’s going to be a bad year for the flu.

The CDC is reporting the flu is already widespread in 41 states. 18 children have died and at least 2,200 people have been hospitalized.

Dr. Kathleen Mathey, with Family Care Associates at GBMC says in December, she saw a spike in patients with the flu.

There’s no knowing why the flu season started so early this year. But Dr. Mathey says the good news is it’s not too late to get your flu shot.

Once you get the vaccine, it takes about 2 weeks for the shot to take full effect.

Dr. Mathey says the flu can be especially dangerous for kids because they have weaker immune systems.

Baltimore, MD

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