Flu Kills 14 More In Pennsylvania

The bad flu season is getting worse, at least in Pennsylvania.

According to new data released by the state Department of Heath, 32 flu-related deaths have been reported this season in Pennsylvania. That's 14 additional deaths in the past week, according to the latest batch of data that shows cases up to Jan. 13.

As of last week, as reported by Patch, there were a total of 18 flu-related deaths, with 12 of them occurring in the week ending Jan. 6, 2018.

Experts have said the current flu season — which extends from Oct. 1, 2017 through May 19, 2018 — will be particularly bad. That prediction is playing out in Pennsylvania, where health officials have designated flu activity as "widespread."

Since October, more than 17,700 people in Pennsylvania have fallen ill from the virus. The hardest hit counties include Allegheny, where 2,982 cases have been reported, and York, where there have been 998 cases.

In Philadelphia, 361 cases have been reported. In its suburbs, the following number of cases have been reported by county:

• Bucks: 496
• Chester: 380
• Delaware: 578
• Montgomery: 601

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.

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.

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.
Here are some additional tips:

• 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.

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