Flu hospitalizations rising in southern Colorado

Flu-related hospitalizations continue to rise in southern Colorado.

There have been 100 flu hospitalizations in El Paso since October, compared to 40 around this time last year. In Pueblo, there have been 91 flu hospitalizations since October. Last year, there were 75 in the entire season, from October to May.

“It seems this year to be more severe sooner than it has in the past season,” said Shannon Rowe, Communicable Disease Program Manager at El Paso County Public Health.

Rowe said there are four types of strains circulating this season, two Type “A” and two Type “B.” Most people hospitalized are getting a Type “A” strain.

“The symptoms are the same,” she said. “Sometimes influenza B is a less severe illness. So influenza A will usually make you a little sicker.”

So where does the vaccine come in?

“I know that the vaccine isn’t a direct match with one of the circulating strains, there was a drift in one of the influenza A strains,” Rowe said.

Although experts can’t know for sure, that could be a reason there are more flu-related hospitalizations this year, but it doesn’t mean people shouldn’t get the flu shot. Rowe said it could help prevent other influenza strains or make people less ill.