ER Visits Spike As Flu Spreads Across NoVa, DC

WASHINGTON, DC — Flu is still widespread across Virginia, the District of Columbia and the rest the United States, and the virus has been blamed for thousands of hospitalizations and at least 53 pediatric deaths nationwide. Flu activity continued to intensify last week, reaching its highest level in almost a decade, according to the latest data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While Washington, D.C., and Virginia don't track adult flu deaths, emergency room visits have climbed in the last two weeks, health officials say. No pediatric deaths have been reported, according to the District of Columbia Department of Health. CDC records show 12 Virginia flu deaths in January 2018.

Virginia health officials said a 7-year-old likely died Jan. 28 from the flu and strep, in what is believed to be the first pediatric flu death this year in the state. Kevin Baynes Jr. of Hurt in southwest Virginia, died less than a day after his parents took him to a hospital emergency room for treatment.

Washington, D.C., health officials say 296 new cases of influenza were reported by hospitals between Jan. 21-28.

The hospitalization rate per 100,000 people was 51.4 and so far, the CDC reports that a total of 14,676 hospitalizations have been reported for the 2017-18 flu season. The most frequently identified flu virus subtype reported by public health laboratories was influenza A(H3), a particularly aggressive and highly contagious strain.

One of every 14 visits to the doctors and clinics were for symptoms of the flu. That's the highest level since the swine flu pandemic in 2009.

SEE ALSO: 7-Year-Old Virginia Boy Dies From Flu, Strep: Reports

Last week, 42 states reported high patient traffic for the flu, up from 39. Hospital stays because of the flu were also up. The Department of Health said 14.3 percent of all outpatient visits for influenza-like illness. which is well above the regional baseline of 1.9 percent.

According to the CDC, the flu is widespread in 48 states while two states — Oregon and Hawaii — do not have widespread flu activity.

The best protection against the flu is vaccination, and health officials have been stressing that it's not too late to get a flu shot. A CDC spokesperson told Patch that as of Jan. 2, 152.1 million doses of the flu vaccine have been distributed. Private manufacturers who produce the vaccine originally predicted that as many as 166 million doses of injectable flu vaccine would be made available for the current flu season.

Vaccine shortages have been reported in some areas as the flu season drags on. The best way to find pharmacies providing the vaccine is to check at Vaccine Finder. The website reminds people to call and check with a vaccine provider location to ensure that the vaccine is available.

A representative for Vaccine Finder said the website does not offer a tool that shows whether the vaccine is available at a particular pharmacy; thus the warning notification on the website.

Common flu symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue, coughing, and sore throat. Symptoms usually begin one to four days after being exposed to the virus.

The CDC recommends you take the following steps to help prevent catching the flu:

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

Practice other good health habits such as these:

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.
• Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

If you believe you are ill with influenza:

• Contact your healthcare provider for management of flu symptoms or treatment of any complications. Call them if you have high fever, difficulty breathing, or other severe symptoms.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Get rest and drink plenty of fluids.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers and wash your hands often.
• If possible, stay home from work, school, running errands, and visiting friends or relatives when you are sick – especially those who are in hospitals or nursing homes. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.

According to the CDC, clinicians should encourage all persons with influenza-like illness who are at high
risk for influenza complications seek care promptly to determine if treatment with influenza antiviral
medications is warranted.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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