Flu Remains Widespread In Colo., 2,650 Hospitalized

ACROSS COLORADO -- Flu is still widespread across the United States, where it’s blamed for thousands of hospitalizations and at least 53 pediatric deaths. Flu activity continued to intensify last week, reaching its highest level in almost a decade, according to the latest data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The hospitalization rate per 100,000 people was 51.4 and so far, the CDC reports that a total of 14,676 hospitalizations have been reported for the 2017-18 flu season. The most frequently identified flu virus subtype reported by public health laboratories was influenza A(H3), a particularly aggressive and highly contagious strain.

In Colorado, 2,650 people have been hospitalized with flu since October. Of those, 235 were under the age of 18. Hospitalized patients over the age of 65 numbered 1,535. One pediatric flu death was reported in El Paso County on Jan. 18. The child, whose name and age were not released by the state, had not been vaccinated with the flu shot, state health officials said.

Additionally, the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment reported 124 outbreaks in facilities such as nursing homes.

The department does not track the number of flu deaths for patients over 65 years old, but the number of influenza-based pneumonia deaths (a common secondary effect of the flu) has increased to 8.5 percent, which is "above the epidemic threshold," according to the CDPHE. However, Colorado's pneumonia/influenza rate is below the national level of 9.1 percent.

Nationwide, one of every 14 visits to the doctors and clinics were for symptoms of the flu. That’s the highest level since the swine flu pandemic in 2009.

According to the CDC, the flu is widespread in 48 states while two states — Oregon and Hawaii — do not have widespread flu activity.

The best protection against the flu is vaccination, and health officials have been stressing that it’s not too late to get a flu shot. A CDC spokesperson told Patch that as of Jan. 2, 152.1 million doses of the flu vaccine have been distributed. Private manufacturers who produce the vaccine originally predicted that as many as 166 million doses of injectable flu vaccine would be made available for the current flu season.

Vaccine shortages have been reported in some areas as the flu season drags on. The best way to find pharmacies providing the vaccine is to check at Vaccine Finder. The website reminds people to call and check with a vaccine provider location to ensure that the vaccine is available.

A representative for Vaccine Finder said the website does not offer a tool that shows whether the vaccine is available at a particular pharmacy; thus the warning notification on the website.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, body aches, headaches and fatigue. It’s always a good idea to call your doctor if you have symptoms, but if a child has trouble breathing, has bluish skin, or is not waking up or interacting, get immediate medical attention. In each of the past several flu seasons, at least 100 children have died, according to CDC data.
Immediate medical attention is also advised if an adult has difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, has sudden dizziness or confusion, is severely or persistently vomiting, or improves but then gets worse.
Tips to avoid the flu, curb its spread:

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid touching your face — your mouth, nose, and eyes.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid others who are sick.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or into a tissue.

You can be contagious from one day before and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. It is spread through the air, from coughing and sneezing, or by hand, touching something that someone with the virus has touched
To treat the flu, use over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or cough syrup to relieve symptoms. Rest in bed and drink lots of fluids. If you contact your doctor within 48 hours of onset of symptoms, you may be able to take an antiviral drug, which will reduce the severity of symptoms and length of the illness. The CDC has additional guidelines.

By Feroze Dhanoa, Patch National Staff and Beth Dalby, Patch National Staff

The Associated Press contributed to this report.