Flu Death Count In PA Rises To 65, 2 Children

Eighteen more flu-related deaths were reported in Pennsylvania during the most recent week for which totals have been released. That brings the total number of flu-related deaths this season in Pennsylvania to 65. The state's flu-related deaths now include two children and three young adults. Twelve people aged 50 to 64 have died, as well as 48 people aged 65 and older.

The latest data released by the state Department of Health includes cases reported up to Jan. 27.

Since October, more than 35,000 people in Pennsylvania have fallen ill from the virus. The number of reported cases last week in Pennsylvania was the highest weekly count since 2003, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The particularly bad season is attributed to infections from a flu strain known as H3N2. It doesn't respond well to vaccinations and is particularly dangerous to young children and older adults over the age of 65.

Medical professionals with Lankenau Medical Center tell the Philadelphia Inquirer that last month was the busiest month ever for hospital admissions from the emergency department, and that is largely attributed to the flu.

The virus has claimed lives across the country.

In New Jersey, a 4-year-old child died and a 12-year-old Florida boy, who was otherwise healthy, died from the flu last week.

Last month, a 6-year-old girl in North Carolina died from the flu just days after showing symptoms. The family had taken her to urgent care and called an ambulance a day later when the girl was having trouble breathing

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, body aches, headaches and fatigue. The flu virus is spread through the air, from coughing and sneezing, or by touching something that someone with the virus has touched.

You can pass the flu to someone else both before and while you are sick.

Adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming ill, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

Here are some tips if you get the flu:

• Stay home from work or school 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.

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