Flu season is well underway in South Florida, and doctors at two Miami-area hospitals are urging residents to get vaccinated and take basic precautions. HCA Florida Kendall Hospital Chief of Emergency Medicine Dr. Ana Pineda said the region is in the middle of the season, with patients arriving with fever, cough, body aches and heavy congestion that can last five to seven days.
The CDC’s weekly influenza report for the week ending Oct. 31 placed Florida at a “moderate” activity level. Pineda said that is a typical winter uptick, driven in part by holiday travel that spreads viruses between counties and states. Federal health officials have said early-season activity is running higher than usual for this time of year, but that does not necessarily mean a bigger peak or more severe season.
Pineda said antiviral medication can shorten symptoms if it is started within a narrow window, so patients should seek care early. She said the flu shot targets the strains CDC expects to circulate this year and can reduce complications such as hospitalization and pneumonia. Pineda added that it is never too late to get vaccinated, since the season can run until March or even April.
Jackson Memorial Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hany Atallah said people who are sick should skip indoor gatherings as Thanksgiving approaches. Both doctors recommended hand washing, staying home when ill, covering coughs and sneezes, and wearing masks, especially around infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
For multigenerational households, Pineda suggested isolating a sick family member in a separate room and having everyone wear masks.
