Milwaukee area seeing highest flu activity across Wisconsin as 'super flu' cases surge across the U.S.

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Flu season is in full swing, and infections are rising across the country.

Doctors say the current flu numbers are alongside a new variant called Subclade K, which some are calling a "super flu."

Dr. Jeff Pothof, emergency medicine physician and chief quality officer at UW Health, said Wisconsin usually sees flu cases build up just before Thanksgiving, but the season was delayed closer to mid-December, so professionals are preparing for a surge in the first month of the new year.

"No question, we're on that upward slope of influenza cases," Dr. Pothof said. "With Christmas just a few days ago, New Year's in just a few days, every reason to suspect that's throwing a little fuel on the fire."

According to Dr. Pothof, this season's variant is bringing more severe flu symptoms than usual.

"We're seeing more hospitalizations than we would typically expect in a flu season, likely because this variant, this Subclade K, is just a little bit better at making vulnerable people more sick," he explained.

The flu shot might not prevent Subclade K, as this season's vaccine was formulated before the strain mutated, but Pothof says it could temper the symptoms.

"What we're seeing with this variant is the flu shot's still about 40% effective than compared to its normal effectiveness," he said.

The latest data from Wisconsin's Department of Health Services show about four per 100,000 people statewide have been hospitalized by this flu variant.

The highest concentration is in Southeastern Wisconsin, at seven out of 100,000.

"Milwaukee seems to be going first," Pothof said. "If you look at our flu indicators, things are a little bit hotter in Milwaukee than the rest of the state right now."

The most common flu symptoms are a fever over 100.5 degrees, headaches, body aches, and a sore throat.

Pothof says to be conscious of more serious symptoms, like shortness of breath, a prolonged high fever, and dizziness.

"Those are signs that you're not doing very well with influenza, and you're probably going to need to get checked out by a doctor," he explained.

The majority of those hospitalized are in the 65+ age range.

In a few weeks, Pothof expects to see a surge of cases, especially in Milwaukee.

That's when he says we will get an idea of when - and how severe - the peak will be this year.

If you're sick, doctors recommend taking NSAIDs like Advil or Tylenol, staying hydrated, and staying home from work, school, errands, and other activities.