WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – In North Carolina, there have been more flu deaths than last season and we’re only halfway through flu season.

Flu season runs from October through May. So far this season 206 people have died from the flu, most of them people who are 65 and older.

Other respiratory illnesses have also seen a slight increase like Rhinovirus. Susan and Bob Olson say they both came down with some kind of respiratory illness that left them feeling congested.

“He got hit with it for three days just feeling horrible, congested body aches and whatnot,” said Susan Olson. “After the three or four days congestion stayed for about 10,” she added.

Health officials say there could be a reason why more people are feeling sick and coming down viruses like the flu.

“For a lot of people, there’s some vaccine fatigue. But really it is important for people to know that an annual flu vaccine is recommended for almost everyone 6 months and age and over. There are very few exceptions,” said Emma Doran the Medical Director of Respiratory Diseases at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Doran says the higher numbers of people getting the flu correlate with pre-pandemic levels.

” For two years we didn’t really see a big flu season because people were staying inside and following all of those recommendations. And then last year it started earlier, and so this year has kind of shifted closer to where we see the peak,” said Doran.

She says the best way to prevent the spread of illness is to practice good hygiene and get vaccinated if you are able.

“Flu seasons can have multiple peaks, so we are not out of the flu season yet. Because we are not out of the flu season yet I think it’s really important to know that as long as there is a flu virus being transmitted in the community it is still a good idea to get vaccinated. Vaccines will still prevent getting the flu, help prevent serious outcomes from the flu and help prevent death,” said Doran.

Here are the symptoms of the flu from NCDHHS. If you feel sick health officials say the best thing to do is visit your doctor.

Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• fever* or feeling feverish/chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• fatigue (tiredness)
• some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

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