Flu Kills 5 In Connecticut, Hundreds More Hospitalized

The flu has become widespread in Connecticut with more than 300 hospitalizations and five deaths reported to date. Flu accounts for seven percent of all emergency department visits across the state, according to the state Department of Public Health.

Connecticut isn’t alone; the flu is widespread in 45 other states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza has claimed the lives of 13 children this season across the country. All of Connecticut’s fatal victims were over the age of 65-years-old.

The state Department of Public Health reports that flu activity has rapidly increased in the last two weeks.

There were 713 influenza positive laboratory tests reported between Aug. 27 and Dec. 30. Hartford County had 265 reports, Fairfield 189, New Haven 139, New London 43, Tolland 28, Middlesex 22, Litchfield 17 and Windham 10.

But there are troubling signs elsewhere in the country:

• In California, 91 people have died from the flu, including 27 people under the age of 65. In San Diego County, 46 people died from the flu during the week ending Jan. 6, health officials said. During the last flu season, eight Californians died from complications of the illness.
• Four people have died of the flu in Tennessee. They include a pregnant woman and three children.
• In Arizona, flu cases had shot up 785 percent over the previous year by mid-December. The deaths in Arizona included a young Phoenix mother, who died two days after she was diagnosed.
• Texas has more flu cases than any other state in the country, according to a map by the pharmacy Walgreens. Texas tracks adult flu deaths as a combined statistic with pneumonia deaths. So far this season, there have been 1,155 combined flu and pneumonia deaths and one flu-related pediatric death in the state. In Dallas County, Texas, at least 11 people have died of complications of the flu. In Travis County, where Austin is located, seven people have died. There have been no pediatric deaths.
• In Indiana, at least 25 people have died since the CDC's last surveillance report, which included year-end totals.

Many of those getting sick with the flu have a strain known as H3N2, which doesn't respond well to flu vaccinations — though public health officials say that some protection is better than none at all and encourage people to get flu shots. That strain is particularly dangerous to young children and older adults over the age of 65.

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.

(Lead image: A patient gets a flu shot in 2013 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Photo by Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images)