Cases of Flu Increasing, Health Officials Urge Vaccinations

The Virginia Department of Health said cases of influenza have increased significantly in the Commonwealth during the past few weeks.

The intensity has risen from low to high, meaning more people are seeing their doctors for symptoms of flu than at any other time this season and people are at greater risk of catching it, VDH officials said.

“Since mid-January there has been a notable increase in the number of people visiting a doctor with influenza-like illness and in the number of specimens testing positive for influenza. A similar pattern is being seen across the southeastern U.S.,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Remley.

The VDH has also confirmed two pediatric flu-associated deaths in Virginia. Usually about two to three pediatric flu-associated deaths are reported each year, they said.

The VDH wants people to remember that it isn’t too lake to get the flu vaccination, and they are still available across the state. The flu season in Virginia usually begins in December and runs through March, peaking in February.

Those who are at high risk for complications, such as those with underlying health conditions and the elderly, and who might have the flu should see their doctor, health officials said.

Those who are already sick should take precautions to prevent spreading it to others. They should cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, stay home while ill and wash their hands frequently. Typical flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and fatigue, which is sometimes extreme.

For more information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov. To see an interactive map of flu activity in the U.S. visit http://healthmap.org/flugov/.

CDC FLU FACTS
• Between 5 percent and 20 percent of the United States population gets the flu each season
• It’s estimated that more than 200,000 people in the US are hospitalized due to flu-related complications each year
• It is recommended that everyone over 6 months old receive the flu vaccine
• This year’s vaccination protects against H3N2, an influenza B virus, and H1N1, which caused many illnesses during last year’s flu season