BOSTON — In Boston and across the country, emergency rooms are filled with people seeking relief from the flu.
This year, a tough new flu strain is sweeping across the country, and in a disturbing trend, more people are dying.
"At Mass General, we are having one of the worst flu years we've had," said Dr. Ali Raja, Vice Chair MGH ER Medicine.
At Mass General Hospital, this year's flu epidemic has them concerned. This month, MGH is seeing a 250 percent increase in flu cases over last January. They are bracing for February, typically the worst month for the flu.
And there is no relief across the country.
Is it a cold or #flu? Both are respiratory illnesses, but are caused by
— CDC Flu (@CDCFlu) January 17, 2018
different viruses that can be found by lab tests. Learn some of the differences
between cold and flu. https://t.co/GX6XcdEVqS pic.twitter.com/JRFkTzdbCE
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"Every single state in the continental U.S. is affected, but not just affected, but affected really badly," said Raja.
Most alarming of all, for a growing number of people, the flu this year has been deadly. Dr. Raja tells Boston 25 News the flu virus, by itself, doesn't kill. Instead, it's another infection that strikes at the worst possible time.
"When a healthy person dies of the flu in 24 hours, it's definitely alarming. And that is almost always a because of the fact that their body is weak from the flu, and some other infection has come in and run rampant," said Raja.
RELATED: Flu kills Massachusetts mother of 2 as outbreak affects majority of U.S.
A lot of people simply don't call the doctor when they come down with the flu, they simply like to ride it out. But that phone call, in some cases, could save your life.
Widespread #flu activity reported in 49 US states. #Flu vaccination is the best tool to prevent flu, but antivirals are the most important tool for flu treatment. Latest flu activity update: https://t.co/To4m34xyeh pic.twitter.com/WiCxPsXIoC
— CDC Flu (@CDCFlu) January 16, 2018
The question is, how do you know when it's time to make that call?
"If you start feeling anything different than you've had before with the flu, or if you have any symptoms that really concern you, call your doctor, go to an urgent care, call your nurse practitioner. Whoever takes care of you," said Raja.
Dr. Raja says the best defense against the flu, is still the flu shot - and don't forget to keep washing your hands.
>> MORE FLU CONTENT FROM BOSTON 25 NEWS:
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- What is the H3N2 flu and how bad is flu season this year?
- Tips to prevent getting colds and flu; remedies
- Researchers say new drug could end the flu as we know it
- Flu cases on the rise in Massachusetts
- Influenza surveillance map: Where is the flu in my state?
Cox Media Group