EAST NORTHPORT, N.Y.

What Frank Bosco assumed was just a typical cold actually turned into a severe case of the flu, leading to a prolonged hospitalization that he narrowly survived. This near-fatal encounter underscores the serious threats posed by influenza.

“I thought it was just a regular cold,” Bosco remarked.

The 63-year-old from East Northport found himself battling the flu during the last flu season and, according to officials from Northwell Health, came very close to not making it. He was hospitalized for a staggering 116 days across three hospitals, during which he needed dialysis and was even placed on a lung transplant waiting list.

His wife, Theresa, expressed how the entire experience was incredibly challenging for their family.

“I took a four-month leave of absence from my job so I could be with him,” she said, clearly emotional as she spoke.

The couple wants others to learn from their story about the risks associated with influenza and the importance of vaccination. They acknowledged that they had never received flu vaccines before this incident.

“I never got the flu, knock on wood. So I thought, you know, it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” Theresa explained.

“I really didn’t believe it could be that serious,” Frank added.

Doctors at North Shore University Hospital have indicated that flu season has kicked off, with at least ten hospitalizations reported already. While the flu vaccine doesn’t guarantee complete protection, healthcare professionals assert it can significantly lessen the chances of severe illness and even death.

“Don’t let that happen with influenza. Every American over the age of 6 months should receive a flu shot annually,” stated Dr. Bruce Farber, Northwell’s head of epidemiology.

Health officials noted that testing suggests flu activity has started earlier in the year, emphasizing the need for timely vaccinations.

“Flu is expected to peak during the holidays this year, which is about two months earlier than in recent years,” Dr. Dwayne Breining from Northwell Lab Services mentioned.

Doctors also explained that influenza viruses can change, and a newer mRNA-based vaccine might adapt more quickly to match circulating strains, although this could lead to stronger side effects and it’s not yet widely available.

For Frank Bosco, there’s a straightforward takeaway.

“You really don’t want to get sick like I did. It’s a tough road to recovery. I feel fortunate to have come back,” he said.

Recently, Bosco celebrated his son’s wedding, a joyous occasion his family once dreaded might never happen.

“They didn’t think he was going to make it on Valentine’s Day,” Theresa recounted, reflecting on the worry they felt during his hospitalization.