Flu Hospitalizations Hit New High In Ohio: Flu Report

CLEVELAND — Nearly 1,000 people were hospitalized last week because of the flu, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reported. This marks a new high for flu hospitalizations this season. More than 5,400 people have now been hospitalized since the season began in September.

Between Feb. 2 and Feb. 8, 994 Ohioans were hospitalized because of influenza, an increase of 19 percent versus the previous week (and double the number of hospitalizations during the same week last year).

Two children have died from influenza this flu season, an 11-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl. Adult flu deaths are not reported to the state.

Health officials are urging residents to get a flu shot to stem the spread of influenza.

“One in 12 Americans is likely to get sick from flu this season,” said ODH Medical Director Dr. Mark Hurst. “The next person hospitalized could be you, your child, or another loved one. Protect yourself and everyone around you by getting a flu shot and following other precautions.”

Ohio has been struggling with a double-barreled flu season, meaning two different strands of the flu are making people sick statewide. Influenza A cases have started to spike nationally, while Influenza B spread early in the flu season.

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ending Feb. 8, cases nationwide tested positive for Influenza A at 54 percent compared to Influenza B, which comprised 46 percent of cases.

Influenza B cases outpaced Influenza A earlier this season, causing the flu to hit younger Americans especially hard. So far this season, the CDC has reported a total of 92 pediatric deaths. In January, reported pediatric deaths were more than double what they were last season.

In total, 14,000 people in the U.S. have died due to flu-related illnesses and complications, according to the latest CDC data.

Nationally, according to the CDC’s influenza report for the week ending Feb 8, the percentage of virus specimens testing positive for influenza increased from 30.1 percent for the week ending Feb. 1 to 30.8 percent for the latest week.

In addition to 14,000 deaths, the CDC estimates there have been at least 26 million illnesses and 250,000 hospitalizations from the flu so far this season.

For comparison, the CDC reported a total of 22 million illnesses, 210,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths in its weekly report ending Jan. 25.

Typically, the groups most at risk of the flu are older adults, very young children, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions.

“Along with severe illness, flu can lead to missed work and education, limit family time, and diminish quality of life,” Dr. Hurst said. “We encourage workplaces, schools, nursing homes, and other facilities to protect Ohioans by ramping up cleaning and disinfecting efforts and supporting other prevention habits.”

According to the CDC, symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills (though not everyone with flu will have a fever)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

The flu is a highly contagious illness, which is why the CDC urges everyone to take the following steps to protect themselves and others:

• Take time to get a flu shot: While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will be most common. The CDC says it’s not too late to get this year’s vaccine.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• If you are sick with flu symptoms, you should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs such as the flu.
• Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.