Flu season not even at its peak
The 2017-18 influenza season has been classified as “widespread” by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and health officials estimate it is only the beginning.
From Oct. 1 – the start of the flu season – to Dec. 30, there have been 302 reported cases of influenza in Washington County and 21 reported cases in Greene. Health officials stressed this does not include those who have chosen not to seek care from a medical professional, so the actual number of flu cases is much higher than officially reported.
The Department of Health estimates between five and 20 percent of Pennsylvanians, or 600,000 to 2.4 million people, will come into contact with the flu this year, with the southeast region of the state seeing the most activity.
At Canonsburg Hospital, positive test results for influenza have been on the rise.
“Over the course of the last two weeks, we’ve seen a large influx of people coming in with the flu,” said Dr. Kathleen Latouf, medical director of the hospital. “For a majority of patients that suffer symptoms of the flu, we treat them with IV fluids, nausea medications and breathing medications.”
Latouf said the most common symptoms reported are fevers, coughs and general fatigue.
The peak of flu season, Latouf believes, is still to come, and she predicts it will be seen in the next month or two.
In the meantime, Latouf said steps can be taken to minimize the risk of catching this year’s virus, among the most important being to receive the annual flu vaccine.
“Even if they haven’t received it already, it’s not too late,” Latouf said.
Frequent hand washing to avoid passing the flu from one person to another is also highly recommended.
Officials are advising if you feel sick, it is best to stay home from work or school to reduce the risk of spreading the illness to others.