With the peak of flu season upcoming, it’s important to look back at beginning of the 2019-2020 flu season, as the number of people catching influenza is already outpacing what physicians have seen in the past.

According to the Florida Department of Health, 16 outbreaks were reported during the week of Nov. 23, up from nine the week before. Of those, nine were confirmed influenza, while seven were illness with flu-like symptoms. Six counties – Hillsborough, Pinellas, Miami-Dade, Collier, Lake and Escambia – reported five or more new cases that week.

Schools across the Sunshine State have been the hardest hit this year, unlike previous seasons where facilities serving older adults reported more cases.

Overall infection rates remain mild in most Florida counties, however. The predominant strain so far has been B Victoria, which has symptoms that mimic Strain A. However, unlike strain A, influenza B is contracted only by humans. This allows strain A to spread faster than B, which makes a pandemic less likely.

A prevalence of strain B early in the season is rare, and it could mean that folks are in for a second wave caused by stain A. Last year, a second wave hit and extended the flu season through spring. The last time that strain B dominated nationally was during the 1992-93 season. However, experts say the 2019-20 season appears to pose less of a threat.

“Overall, this season has not been as scary. Of course, it’s still early,’’ Ogbonnaya Omenka, assistant professor and public health specialist at Butler University told USA Today. “So far, different health departments have been able to contain it in ways that have allowed us not to have some type of significant outbreak or problem.’’

Nationally, activity continues to increase but the amount of activity and flu strains vary by region. Also, four of 10 regions in the United States were at or above their baselines in the number of visits to outpatient providers, with 2.9 percent of all visits reported as flu-like illnesses. That’s up from 2.4 percent reported during each of the past three weeks, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The flu has already killed five pediatric patients this season.

As for this year’s vaccine, it’s still too soon to determine its effectiveness. However, the fact that World Health Organization changed the strains for the upcoming season in the Southern Hemisphere may indicate what one epidemiologist described as “a mismatch.”

That said, a vaccine still gives you better odds that you would get in Vegas and are still available in most areas. Health care providers say it’s never too late to get one. In addition to a vaccine, other ways of preventing the spread of flu are to avoid being around people who are sick, stay home when you are sick, cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow, and of course, regular handwashing. Here are tips on proper handwashing techniques.

Flu season typically runs from early October and can last into May.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends healthy adults and children be vaccinated to prevent the oftentimes deadly virus from spreading.

Symptoms of the flu come on suddenly and are worse than those of the common cold. Those symptoms may include:

• Body or muscle aches
• Chills
• Cough
• Fever
• Headache
• Sore throat

Flu-related hospitalizations since 2015 range from 140,000 to 710,000 annually, while flu-related deaths are estimated to have ranged from 12,000 to 56,000 that same year. During flu season, flu viruses circulate at higher levels amongst the US population.

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.

There are two types of flu vaccines – the flu shot and the nasal spray vaccine.

The flu shot contains active flu viruses. The shot is FDA approved for children over 6 months of age, healthy people and those with chronic medical conditions. Studies show that the flu shot were more than 70 percent effective, compared to 60 percent for the flu spray.

The nasal spray vaccine is also made of live, weakened flu viruses and is FDA approved for people aged 5-49 and who are not pregnant.2.

The best time to get vaccinated is before flu season begins. It generally takes about two weeks after receiving the vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against the virus. The CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of November, if possible.  Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.

Vaccines are offered in many locations, including doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies, college health centers, as well as by many employers, and even in area schools.

While the single best way to prevent the flu virus is by getting vaccinated, there are still lifestyle changes you can implement to avoid contracting the illness including avoid close contact with those who are sick; cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, wash your hands frequently; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, drinking plenty of fluids and maintain a healthy diet.