Flu epidemic widespread

Published 5:15 am Tuesday, February 7, 2017

The annual scourge — influenza — is upon us, with a full-blown outbreak underway across Alabama, concentrated in North Alabama.

Alabama is one of the top four states nationwide leading the flu epidemic, and the Alabama Department of Public Health upgraded the state’s infection status to widespread — the most severe designation — for the week ending Jan. 28.

Locally, the flu is spreading as well, with Cullman Regional reporting 19 patients testing positive for influenza between Jan. 22-Jan. 28, the most recent data provided to The Times. 

The number of flu cases have been ticking upward over the winter months, with just one lab-confirmed case between Nov. 27-Dec. 3, nine between Dec.18-24 and 18 between Jan 8-14. 

Nationally, widespread influenza activity has been reported by 40 states, and 15 children have died from flu this season so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Public health officials can tell an outbreak is ramping up when there’s first a spike in people with flu-like symptoms going to the doctor, followed later by a jump in hospitalizations and then, unfortunately, increases in deaths, most commonly in the young and elderly who are most at risk.

While it’s hard to predict which flu virus will infect the most people, the CDC said H3N2 viruses continue to circulate widely, which means older adults and young children may be more severely impacted.

Flu cases begin popping up in October, typically peaks between December and March — when 75 percent of all cases have been reported over the past 30 years. Flu season can last as late as May.

But this season will mark the first time sick people will have a generic version of Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the pill last August.

While the flu is a common occurrence, health professionals urge people to take it seriously. The CDC estimates that 200,000 Americans are hospitalized each year with the flu and anywhere form 3,000 to 49,000 die from complications annually.

If you have the flu, stay home from school or work. Don’t spread the virus. If you catch the flu, you are contagious for up to 24 hours before having any symptoms.

“Individuals with the flu should stay home until they have been symptom and fever free for 24 hours before returning to work or school,” said Cullman Regional’s Infection Prevention Nurse/Manager Marti Smith. “Fever-free means no fever without taking medicines to reduce it.” 

The hospital advises anyone with flu-like systems to refrain from visiting patients to protect them from infection. ER patients suspected of having the flu or other respiratory illnesses are encouraged to wear a mask while in the lobby until they are assigned an exam room to protect others. 

Most people can stay home and it tough out, but some are at high risk of serious flu-related complications, namely young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions.

If you are in a high risk group and develop flu symptoms, contact your doctor right away to get antiviral drugs as early as possible.

The best way to prevent getting the flu, the CDC urges people to get annual immunizations, stay away from sick people and wash your hands frequently to reduce the spread of germs.

The CDC estimates that vaccinations prevented 5.1 million influenza illnesses, 3,000 pneumonia and influenza deaths, 2.5 million influenza-associated medical visits and 71,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations last year.

Last flu season, anywhere from a third to two-thirds of Americans get flu shots, depending on age, with effectiveness ranging from 24 to 57 percent.

Fever

Cough

Sore Throat

Runny or stuffy nose

Body aches

Headache

Chills

Fatigue

Sometimes Diarrhea and vomiting

Source: Centers for Disease Control