Sick state: Flu widespread in Pa.

It looks like Pennsylvania is a little under the weather.

According to the Department of Health, the state is experiencing widespread flu activity.

“According to the data posted on health.pa.gov, Pennsylvania’s current influenza activity code is “widespread,” meaning the outbreaks of influenza or increases in influenzalike illness and recent laboratory-confirmed influenza occurred in at least half of the regions of the state,” said Diane Lesher, BSN, RN, Director of Emergency Services at St. Luke’s Gnaden Huetten and Palmerton Campuses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that Pennsylvania falls into the moderate category, along with nine other states. Currently, 26 states are experiencing high-level activity.

At the local level

Monroe County has noted 96 cases of the flu in the Confirmed Influenza Laboratory Tests report data from the CDC, with Lehigh reporting 506; Northampton, 537; and Schuylkill, 143.

Carbon County has the lowest figure in the area.

“To date there are 11,530 confirmed cases of influenza in the state, and 44 cases of influenza in Carbon County,” Lesher said.

This number is not indicative of the actual number of cases. Many people will not bother visiting an emergency room or physician when they have the flu.

Symptoms

Influenza tends to present with a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue and sometimes diarrhea or vomiting. It is important to note that while it is one of the telltale signs of the flu, not every case presents with a fever.

“The two red flags are shortness of breath and mental status change, whether it’s a child or adult, on top of the other symptoms,” Dr. Luther Rhodes, Chief Infection Control at Lehigh Valley Health Network, said. “They should see a doctor immediately, not self-medicate.”

Emergency warning signs for children include fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, not waking up or not interacting, extreme irritability, improved flu-like symptoms that return with a fever and worse cough, and fever with a rash. Infants require immediate medical attention if they are unable to eat, have trouble hearing, show no tears when crying, or have significantly fewer wet diapers than normal.

Adults who show difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, or flulike symptoms that improve but return with a fever and worse cough may require emergency care as well.

Certain groups are more likely to be strongly affected by the flu, and should take extra precautions during the season.

“The very young, very old, caregivers, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune system should be most concerned about the flu,” Lesher said.

These groups are often less able to combat the virus on its own, making for a more severe illness. In the case of caregivers, they may also be more frequently exposed to those who may be sick, and are at a greater risk of spreading the illness to those who they treat.

Shots and medicine

Getting the influenza vaccine is a preventive step, and many people opted to get one early.

“We were busy earlier in the season, but now, we maybe do one once a week. About a month ago, we were doing at least six or seven a day,” First National Pharmacy pharmacist Daria Gallagher said.

Rhodes said the flu vaccine may not be an absolute safeguard against the virus, but it is still the best bet.

“In a good year, it’s a B-vaccine,” he said. “Within the high-risk groups, it’s about a 30 to 35 percent effective coverage. The vaccine is not perfect, but it’s better than the alternative.”

If you happen to develop symptoms and have not had a vaccine, you can ask the doctor for anti-viral medications. These treatments work best when administered within two days of developing symptoms, but they can help shorten the illness no matter when they are taken. For this year’s flu season, the CDC lists three medications that are FDA-approved for flu treatment: oseltamivir (available as a generic or as Tamiflu), zanamivir (Relenza), and peramivir (Rapivab).

“It’s appropriate to take anti-flu medication, even before the tests come in,” Rhodes said.

If you are in the market for some over-the-counter cold and flu medicine, make sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. Gallagher warned that people with high blood pressure or other chronic conditions should be cautious, as medications like Sudafed could land them in the hospital thanks to decongestants like pseudoephedrine.

Following the old advice that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, Lesher recommends a few simple precautions to protect yourself during the season.

“Wash your hands, cover your cough, don’t share items, stay home if you are sick, and get the flu shot — it is not too late!” she said.

Doctor and ER visits

When symptoms get serious and the usual round of treatments just aren’t cutting it, a visit to the doctor or emergency room might be the best option.

“The emergency department sees about 10-12 patients per day presenting with flu symptoms such as fever, cough, nausea and vomiting,” Lesher said.

The increased visits are a common occurrence in the middle of the flu season, where many people with influenzalike illnesses opt for the ER.

“You go to any area ER, and it’s standing room only this time of year,” Rhodes said. “I wouldn’t say they’re all bursting at the seams, but they’re very busy.”

On a national level, more people are seeking out medical help to treat their illness.

“For the week ending Jan. 6, the proportion of people seeing their health care provider for influenza-like illness was 5.8 percent, which is above the national baseline of 2.2 percent,” according to the CDC.

The Department of Health says 18 influenza-associated deaths have occurred this season to date, including one pediatric death. Rhodes points out that these figures are relatively low in comparison to previous years, though it is still early in the season.