ALPENA — The upcoming flu season could be more severe than usual.

Health officials often look at the flu season in the Southern Hemisphere as an indicator of what the upcoming flu season will be like in the Northern Hemisphere.

Joshua Meyerson, medical director with District Health Department No. 4, said a more severe strain of the flu — H3N2 — was predominant in the Southern Hemisphere. If that persists, the flu season up here could be “worse-than-average,” he said.

H3N2, one strain of the influenza A virus, would be covered by the flu vaccine, according to Meyerson. The flu shot covers two different influenza A strains and two different strains of influenza B.

“Regardless, whether we think it’s going to be a bad year or a good year, if you get the flu, it’s a bad year, and if you don’t get it, you feel better,” he said. “But anyone who gets it is feeling pretty miserable for at least a week, so everyone should get a flu vaccine every year.”

Particularly vulnerable to the flu are infants under 6 months of age, seniors, and people with underlying medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, and suppressed immune systems, Meyerson said. He also recommends parents of infants receive get the flu shot.

Meyerson said there hasn’t been a lot of flu activity locally, but there have been sporadic cases of the flu reported in the state and around the country.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that, while the timing of the flu is unpredictable, flu activity often begins as early as October and can continue to occur as late as May. Flu activity typically peaks in the U.S. between December and February.

Symptoms of the flu can include a fever, sore throat, and general malaise, which Meyerson says is when “you just don’t feel good,” and have body aches, congestion and coughing. A person experiencing those symptoms should stay home from work, he says.

Meyerson recommends those experiencing difficulty breathing or who continue to feel unwell go to their doctor.

The CDC is once again recommending the flu shot be offered by the end of October, and Meyerson said the vaccine is now available at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and the Health Department.

The Health Department is offering a drive-thu vaccine clinic from noon to 5:30 p.m. at the DHD No. 4 office in Alpena, 100 Woods Circle.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 989-356-4507.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.