This year’s cold and flu season is a “phenomenon”: Interview with Holly Wegner, Infection Preventionist at St. Elizabeth’s

This winter has felt like one endless cycle of illness in our household. Ever since the beginning of January, we've been caught in what seems like a never-ending parade of viruses and infections. From Norovirus to Influenza A, ear infections to bronchitis, and now these persistent coughs that just won't quit. It’s been overwhelming, and I wanted to understand what’s going on and what could I be doing better?
Every time I mention it to other parents, they nod knowingly and share similar stories. Their kids caught the flu, developed stubborn coughs, and just can't seem to fully recover. Even casual conversations with neighbors around town reveal the same pattern. It's gotten to the point where I'm curious to hear from someone in Wabasha County who might be able to explain why this cold and flu season has hit our community particularly hard.
Holly Wenger, a Registered Nurse and Infection Preventionist at Gundersen St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Wabasha, shared some insights about the current flu situation in the U.S., Minnesota, and Wabasha County. This year's flu season has been particularly tough, with a 30% increase in positive flu tests across the country. According to Wenger, it's the worst Minnesota has seen in several years.
While specialists aren't sure why this season is so severe, they've noticed something unusual about how the flu is spreading. In past years, it would typically start on the East Coast and move west across the country. This year, that pattern has changed. Instead, there’s no pattern to the flu spreading. Cases are appearing randomly throughout the country, breaking from the usual predictable spread that health officials have come to expect.

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