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| In this Nov. 27, 2014 file photo, Walgreens pharmacist Chris Nguyen gives a free flu shot to Sandra Bazaldua in Houston, Texas |
Helen Branswell, The Canadian Press
It's official — flu season is in full swing in many parts of Canada.
Health authorities were warning all fall that this could be a bad flu season, because of the type of virus that is most commonly infecting people and the fact that this year's flu vaccine doesn't offer optimum protection against it.
Other viruses are circulating too, adding to the general confusion about what influenza actually is and how much of the illness being seen at the moment is due to flu viruses.
We asked some experts to explain what they are seeing this flu season:
Question: Is this year worse than other recent years?
This seems to be shaping up to be a pretty active influenza season.
It started early, with a lot of virus around in December.
Flu seasons that start to pick up before Christmas can take off, because the multi-generational mixing at family gatherings is a perfect way for influenza to transmit from toddlers and tykes to grandmas and grandpas — and mums and dads as well.
