January has proven to be a tough one for many local residents, as influenza is coming on strong.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health said flu activity is widespread throughout the state, with Allegheny County the hardest hit.
Locally, Bradford Regional Medical Center is seeing an increase in flu cases, according to Terrie O’Brien, infection prevention and patient safety officer.
“BRMC is seeing a definite uptick in the number of influenza cases that are being diagnosed since the first of the year,” she said. “With the holiday over and students back in school, we can expect to continue to see these numbers rise through the coming month and into February.”
Since the flu season started in the end of September/ beginning of October, O’Brien said BRMC has had “a total of 46 Type B and 7 type A nasal swabs test positive. The majority of these have been diagnosed since the first of the year.”
She estimated the number of flu cases is likely higher, because not everyone seeks medical treatment,
“BRMC has had several admissions related to influenza and the complications that occur as a result of influenza,” she continued.
There is still hope, though, O’Brien said, as it isn’t too late to receive a flu shot. Local primary care physicians and many local pharmacies administer the vaccine.
“It takes approximately two weeks to be effectively protected from the virus after vaccination,” she said. “At our facility we also provide immunizations to our patients who come in and have not previously received vaccine this season.
“If you do have a diagnosis of influenza, Tamiflu can be effective at reducing the symptoms of the disease, it is most effective when started soon after signs of disease begin,” O’Brien said.
“Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle or body aches, headache and increased fatigue,” she continued. “Some people do have vomiting and diarrhea with this, but this occurs more commonly in children.”
O’Brien offered some tips for staying healthy during flu season, too.
“Perform frequent hand hygiene with soap and water, or hand sanitizer to reduce your risk of contracting and spreading the disease,” she said. “Also avoiding touching your face, nose and eyes with your hands to prevent the virus from entering your body. Avoid others when you are sick and seek medical treatment when needed. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing with a tissue or your sleeve to keep germs from being spread.”
She added that we aren’t out of the woods yet.
“Influenza season usually peaks towards the end of February, so the community can expect to continue to see cases increase as the virus spreads,” O’Brien said. “Be wise and immunize this influenza season.”
At Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital, Julie Kenyon, BSN, RN, CIC, infection prevention nurse manager, patient safety officer, agreed that it’s not too late to be vaccinated.
“As for Olean, there’s been more influenza B but we are seeing an uptick in influenza A,” Kenyon said. “This season there have been a total of 9 influenza A and 30 influenza B and only 1 that tested positive for both A and B.”
