Flu season in full swing

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Hospitals are seeing more patients with the flu or upper respiratory problems and for someone with a weakened immune system, that could be deadly.

There's a steady stream of patients in the Emergency Department at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Winnie Boyer arrived by ambulance.
  
"I have a lung condition. I only have one lung and I passed out at home," said Boyer.

She passed out after coming down with the flu.  

"Just hit me like a baseball in the park, just uh, I started aching all over, just started getting sick, weak, very weak and tired," said Boyer.

"We're seeing the same respiratory, cough and kinda cold like symptoms but there's definitely more flu than there was last year," said Dr. Steven Wolf of St. Francis Medical Center.

Dr. Wolf is Chairman of Emergency Medicine.  

"It's not entirely clear, there might be some viruses not covered by the vaccine and also that sort of ebbs and flows, that intensity of the flu season and so we've been lucky we've had some mild flu seasons so we were due for something," said Dr. Wolf.

Washing hands, cover when coughing, and staying home when flu symptoms strike can keep it from spreading but Dr. Wolf warns the rush to anti-biotics is not beneficial for most.   

"Those people with other medical problems, respiratory illnesses have a higher likelihood of then getting a bacterial infection after the viral infection and so that's where antibiotics will help," said Dr. Wolf.

Feeling stronger and no longer dehydrated, Winnie Boyer is going home and following doctor's orders. Still, she refuses to get the flu shot.

"Like I told the other lady, old dogs learn the hard way," Boyer said laughing.