Experts warn a 2nd wave of flu is coming - and kids are at risk

ATLANTA — This flu season is shaping up to be one of the worst in 10 years, and there's no end in sight.

Doctors say the flu has already killed 15 people in Georgia. Six of those people died in the last week of 2019. According to the Georgia Health Department, flu has forced more than 500 Georgians into the hospital since the end of September.

Unfortunately, experts say a second round of flu is on the way.

Channel 2′s Richard Elliot talked to state epidemiologist Dr. Cherie Drenzek, who said flu season could go on for another several months.

"We've had very high flu activity actually for the last seven weeks." Drenzek said. "The duration of the flu season is unpredictable, so yes, this year, we saw flu activity early and it doesn't seem to have peaked yet."

The second wave of flu may be especially hard on kids, Drenzek said.

Drenzek said there here are two main strains of flu: influenza A and B. Influenza B predominantly affects children. Dresnek said influenza B usually doesn’t appear until the end of the flu season -- but this year, it came early.

“Because influenza B was circulating so early, that’s why we’re seeing so much of the flu activity that’s impacting children,” Dresnek said.

Elliot talked to 10-year-old Jackson Seaman, who got the flu shot this year and hasn't gotten sick.

"The flu shots were really painful," Seaman said.

Seaman said last year, his whole family got sick -- including the dog!

Brittany Gentembo was at Mason Mill Park in DeKalb County with her three daughters. Gentembo said it was the family’s first outing since all three girls recovered from the flu.

"You know, when one gets it, everyone gets it," Gentembo said. "So at home, we've been hit pretty hard for about two weeks. It was pretty bad, you know. Runny noses, fever, throwing up."

Gentembo said the family didn't get flu shots.

Doctors insist the shots are still the best way to avoid the flu, and it isn't too late. Anyone over 6 months old can get a flu shot.

Last year, flu season didn’t end until May, making it the longest season on record.

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