Influenza cases on the rise across Wisconsin, including some causing brain infections

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Pediatricians are ringing the alarm as influenza cases continue to rise across Wisconsin.

Pediatricians at Children's Wisconsin say this is one of the worst influenza seasons they have seen in over 15 years.

Children's Wisconsin says one of the main symptoms doctors are seeing in children are high fevers of 104 or 105, lasting for up to five or six days. That fever is then often spread to the parents.

Doctors say after the initial fever, they’re also seeing a rise in secondary infections, including pneumonia. This year, doctors have seen infections spread to the brain.

“I’ve done this a long time; this has been awful, and kids die every year from influenza, and we know that. And if you vaccinate, your chance of getting ill goes down, and certainly if you get it, your chance of being sick as long and your chance of being as sick goes way down,” said Dr. Kristin Bencik Boudreau with Children’s Wisconsin.

For children showing symptoms of the flu, doctors say to bring them in, rather than waiting for their symptoms to get worse. Boudreau says getting rest and fluids will help you recover from the flu, in addition to getting your flu shot.