1 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:11,719 Speaker 1: From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend. 2 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:14,520 Speaker 1: Each and every week. Right here, we come together, we 3 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:17,000 Speaker 1: talk about all the topics important to you and the 4 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:19,600 Speaker 1: place where you live. Happy New Year to you. It's 5 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:22,479 Speaker 1: great to be back. I'm Nicole Davis. Won't be at 6 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 1: the flu, nora virus, COVID, just a pesky cold or 7 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 1: a sinus infection. A lot of people are getting sick 8 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: right now. Maybe you are, or you just got over something. 9 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:34,640 Speaker 1: It's just not a good time. The flu really seems 10 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:36,919 Speaker 1: to be the biggest player right now, and health officials 11 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 1: seem to agree as they say, right now we're dealing 12 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:43,000 Speaker 1: with the worst flu season in years in Massachusetts. I 13 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:44,960 Speaker 1: wanted to get a health expert in here to talk 14 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 1: with us about this, make sure we're up to speed, 15 00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:49,199 Speaker 1: know what we need to know. So joining us now 16 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:51,640 Speaker 1: on the show is doctor Larry Mattoff. He is the 17 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:55,480 Speaker 1: medical Director of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences at the 18 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:59,120 Speaker 1: Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Doctor Mattoff, I know you're busy. 19 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:01,000 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for the time here on New 20 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 1: England Weekend. Give us a rundown. I guess to start 21 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:05,720 Speaker 1: of what we're seeing right now when it comes to 22 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:09,320 Speaker 1: the flu. Here in Massachusetts, we're seeing a very high 23 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: level of influenza activity right now. 24 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:17,199 Speaker 2: It's really a severe flu season, and it's an early 25 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:22,040 Speaker 2: flu season. We're seeing a rapid uptick in blue cases 26 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 2: across the board. 27 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:25,399 Speaker 1: Now, what do you think is driving this? We hear 28 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:28,680 Speaker 1: a lot about this subclade K. What makes it so potent? 29 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 2: Well, I'll start by saying that every flu season is 30 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 2: different and you can't necessarily predict what's going to happen, 31 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:39,960 Speaker 2: and the type of strain that's circulating doesn't always tell 32 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:42,320 Speaker 2: you what's what kind of a flu season we're going 33 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:45,760 Speaker 2: to have. But I think there are a number of 34 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:50,040 Speaker 2: factors that are driving the flu season this year, and one, 35 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:53,320 Speaker 2: as you mentioned, is this subclade K. It's a newer 36 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:57,840 Speaker 2: version of the H three N two influenza A virus, 37 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:03,120 Speaker 2: and fewer people have seen it before, Fewer people it's 38 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 2: new to us, and so fewer people have immunity to it. 39 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 2: It's also different from the strain that's in the vaccine, 40 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:18,440 Speaker 2: but vaccine immunity still will play an important role in 41 00:02:19,560 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 2: preventing the flu and in making the flu less serious, 42 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 2: and so that's important to remember. But this strain is 43 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:31,919 Speaker 2: likely to be spreading more rapidly, and that probably accounts 44 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:35,400 Speaker 2: for the rapid uptick and flu that we're seeing here 45 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 2: across the country and really around the world. 46 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 1: Okay, what are the symptoms that are coming specifically with 47 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 1: this strain that's going around right now? 48 00:02:43,919 --> 00:02:47,960 Speaker 2: So the strain is really not different in terms of 49 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 2: the illness that it causes from other flu strains. So 50 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 2: while it spreads more rapidly, more people are susceptible to it. 51 00:02:56,520 --> 00:03:01,919 Speaker 2: That the symptoms that we see fever, sore throat are 52 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 2: similar to what we see from the flu every year, 53 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:11,640 Speaker 2: and so that's not really different. In some people, the 54 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 2: illness can be more severe, and that's also not different 55 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 2: from what we see every year. 56 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:20,480 Speaker 1: I wonder why, then, a lot of people are focusing 57 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: on this because you bring up a good point and 58 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 1: that every year we have deaths from the flu. 59 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:25,120 Speaker 2: We always have. 60 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:27,679 Speaker 1: It always feels like the flu, at least for a 61 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 1: few weeks, really hits us hard. Why do you think 62 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 1: we're seeing more reporting and talking about it this time around? 63 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 1: Is it because of this specific variant that's kind of 64 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:39,600 Speaker 1: hitting us a little harder? What are your thoughts on that. 65 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 2: Well, we are seeing an early and severe flu season. 66 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:47,160 Speaker 2: I also want to mention that one of the problems 67 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 2: that we're having this year is that not enough people 68 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 2: are getting vaccinated against the flu, and that also leads 69 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:57,560 Speaker 2: to more cases and more spread of the flu. Really, 70 00:03:57,560 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 2: only about a third of the people in the state 71 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 2: in a flu vaccine so far this year, and that's 72 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 2: also contributing to the rapid climb and blue cases that 73 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 2: we're seeing. 74 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 1: Well, then I wonder if you're seeing a lot of 75 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: people doing that because of their maybe your reticence to 76 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:16,280 Speaker 1: get the COVID vaccine, do you feel like one And 77 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:18,960 Speaker 1: you know, both of those are going hand in hand 78 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:21,480 Speaker 1: with people generally backing away from vaccines. 79 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:26,840 Speaker 2: It's complicated and hard to say what's driving this. I 80 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 2: think there is some just fatigue on vaccines, as you say, 81 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:33,720 Speaker 2: you know, we've gotten so many vaccines in the last 82 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:38,440 Speaker 2: few years, and people don't like needles. People are tired 83 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 2: of getting vaccinated. But you know that your health and 84 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:48,279 Speaker 2: the health of those around you is important, and so 85 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 2: vaccination is really a simple thing that you can do. 86 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:55,840 Speaker 2: You know, it takes a few minutes, it's readily available, 87 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:58,280 Speaker 2: you can get your flu and COVID vaccine at the 88 00:04:58,279 --> 00:05:03,719 Speaker 2: same time if you want, And they're really important in 89 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:08,599 Speaker 2: keeping us healthy and importantly keeping those around us healthy. 90 00:05:08,680 --> 00:05:10,560 Speaker 2: Because we don't get the flu, we won't give it 91 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:11,280 Speaker 2: to other people. 92 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:15,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, and even basic things like washing your hands, coughing 93 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 1: into your elbow. I mean, I feel like we get 94 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 1: reminded of these every year, but clearly we need those reminders. 95 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:25,920 Speaker 2: We do. And another important thing to remind people is 96 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,440 Speaker 2: that it's a good idea to stay home when you 97 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 2: have a respiratory infection, both take care of yourself and 98 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 2: also to protect those around you so that they don't 99 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 2: catch it from you. If you can stay home for 100 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 2: a couple of days and you know, drink tea and 101 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 2: watch TV and not in fact other people, that's really important. 102 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:51,159 Speaker 1: I think that right now we're seeing a lot of 103 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 1: people also concerned about what do I take to deal 104 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 1: with these flu symptoms. Do I go and just lean 105 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,920 Speaker 1: heavy on the niquill, Do I take TAMA flu. There's 106 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 1: all these different meds. What are your suggestions for that? 107 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:06,600 Speaker 2: So for many people with the flu, particularly those who 108 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:11,839 Speaker 2: are are young and healthy, you know, just staying home 109 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:16,600 Speaker 2: and taking care of yourself keeping, keeping yourself with a 110 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 2: good fluid intake, and keeping your fever down are are 111 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 2: are good enough and most people recover from the flu 112 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:34,280 Speaker 2: in a few days. For those who are compromised, who 113 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:41,479 Speaker 2: are older, for example, who have underlying medical conditions heart lung, kidney, 114 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 2: liver disease, diabetes, asthma, or who are very young, young children, 115 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 2: particularly under the age of two, it's important to reach 116 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 2: out to your health care provider and find out about 117 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:59,599 Speaker 2: getting treated. There are safe, effective, specific treatments for the flu, 118 00:06:59,839 --> 00:07:04,920 Speaker 2: like tamil flu you mentioned and other similar drugs that 119 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:09,080 Speaker 2: can really make a difference both in feeling better faster 120 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 2: and in preventing the severe complications of flu. Keeping you 121 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 2: out of the hospital. 122 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:17,000 Speaker 1: That's the most important thing. And that's a really good 123 00:07:17,040 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 1: point because with the flu vaccine, even if it's not 124 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 1: a direct match, it's going to keep you from clogging 125 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:26,120 Speaker 1: up the hospitals because there's a lot of people that 126 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:28,480 Speaker 1: are really putting a strain on our systems this time 127 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:28,840 Speaker 1: of year. 128 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 2: Right. That is important to remember about the flu vaccine 129 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:35,600 Speaker 2: is that it may it can protect you completely so 130 00:07:35,640 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 2: that you don't get the flu. But even if you 131 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:41,760 Speaker 2: catch the flu, despite having the vaccine. It can turn 132 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 2: it into a milder form of the illness and won't 133 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 2: get as sick or as sick for as long as 134 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 2: if you hadn't had the vaccine, So that is very important. 135 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:53,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, these days, you've got covid, you've got flu, 136 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 1: you've got all these different viruses, you've got the common cold, Frankly, 137 00:07:57,280 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 1: and I really love the fact that now we're starting 138 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 1: to see more flu and covid combo tests out there, 139 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 1: so they're besides having one of those test kits. I mean, 140 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 1: how can we know if we're dealing with the flu 141 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:10,600 Speaker 1: or covid or is it really just one of those 142 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 1: situations where testing is the only way to kind of 143 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 1: narrow it down right. 144 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:22,640 Speaker 2: The symptoms of flu, covid, rsv ad novirus, metanuma virus A, 145 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 2: a whole host of other respiratory viruses overlap considerably, and 146 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 2: so it's very difficult in an individual patient to know 147 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:34,840 Speaker 2: what they have. And that's why these tests are so helpful. 148 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 2: And as you mentioned, the combo flu covid tests can 149 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 2: help you determine what you have and if it's something 150 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:46,080 Speaker 2: that's treatable with an anti viral agent. Like flu or 151 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 2: covid and that can be life saving. 152 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:52,640 Speaker 1: What do you think people need to know? How much 153 00:08:52,679 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 1: longer do you think we're going to be dealing with this? 154 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:55,560 Speaker 1: What are your thoughts? 155 00:08:55,800 --> 00:09:00,680 Speaker 2: So, the flu season typically lasts for another at least 156 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 2: couple of months. It usually doesn't even peak until early 157 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:08,880 Speaker 2: February and so, and it lasts into the spring. So 158 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:10,800 Speaker 2: it's with us, it's going to be with us for 159 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 2: a while. We're not seeing much COVID or RSV right now, 160 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:18,120 Speaker 2: but I think those are likely to start coming up 161 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 2: soon and with a combination with the flu and those 162 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 2: things that we're going to see a lot more respiratory illness. 163 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:30,680 Speaker 2: So get yourself vaccinated. It's not too late. There's plenty 164 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 2: of time left in the season, and getting a vaccine 165 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:38,000 Speaker 2: now will protect you and those around you, and you know, 166 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:40,200 Speaker 2: if you're sick, stay home and take care of yourself. 167 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 1: All right, great advice, doctor, Thank you so much for 168 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 1: the time. 169 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:44,800 Speaker 2: Nice to talk to you, Nicole. 170 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 1: I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend. Stay warm. 171 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:51,840 Speaker 1: Join us again next week for another edition of the show. 172 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: I'm Nicole Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.