More Than 100 Flu Deaths Reported In Pennsylvania

More than 100 Pennsylvanians have died from the flu in what continues to be a particularly bad flu season in the state and across the nation. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, 107 people have now died due to the flu.

The state's flu-related deaths now include two children and five young adults. Fifteen people aged 50 to 64 have died, as well as 85 people aged 65 and older. The latest data released by the state Department of Health includes cases reported up to Feb. 10.

Since October, more than 61,000 people in Pennsylvania have fallen ill from the virus. 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.

The virus has claimed lives across the country, with this season being the worst in nearly a decade.

Bloomberg reports 4,000 people died from the flu in a single week at the peak of the season. Of the 40,414 deaths in the United States during the third week of 2018, 4,064 were from pneumonia or influenza, the report said, citing CDC data. Since the season began in October, 84 children have died in the United States, according to CNN.

In New Jersey, a 4-year-old child died from the flu, and another pediatric death was reported this 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.

However, Time reported just days ago that heath officials are reporting signs that activity may be "leveling off."

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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