Record-Breaking Flu Numbers Reported At Loyola Medicine

MAYWOOD, IL — Flu cases in Illinois have soared to a record-breaking high, with some strains proving to be resistant to vaccines. Loyola University Medicine had 179 confirmed flu cases in the week of Christmas alone. That's the highest number the hospital has seen in four years.

"In the last two weeks, we have diagnosed as many people with flu as we did during the first 12 weeks of the flu season, which began October 1," Jorge Parada, MD MPH, medical director of Loyola's infection prevention and control program said in a release.

In December, more than 1,200 patients reported the classic flu signs of fever, aches, soar throat, and cough. Of these patients, who were tested for influenza, 357 came back positive.

"Currently, more than half of all the flu tests we send to the lab are returning positive," Parada said. Since Dec. 18, the hospital has limited visitors to persons 18 and older and requires every visitor to wear a surgical mask "at all times," the release said.

The ongoing flu outbreak has been designated as "widespread" by both the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flu symptoms include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Body aches
• Sore throat
• Sniffles
• Cough
• Vomiting and diarrhea (more often in children)

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Although some strains of this flu outbreak are resistant to vaccines and it appears there's no such thing as being too cautious. Parada strongly suggests making a flu shot among your top priorities and washing or sanitizing your hands "many times throughout the day."

Parada added that the widespread flu outbreak won't subside any time soon, saying, "The season is likely not over yet."

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