Hot zone: Flu season peaking early locally
Dr. Ron Aiello thought 2017 would be a busy flu season, but the Mon Valley physician said he wasn’t expecting such a high volume of cases so early.
Already into the first two weeks of January, Aiello and his colleagues have treated 49 positive cases of the influenza virus. And that number is projected to rise in the coming weeks.
“We are seeing an unusually high number of cases of the flu,” said Aiello, an emergency department physician at Monongahela Valley Hospital. “What’s more, about half of the people we are treating have said they became sick, despite getting their flu shots. That’s a bigger number than we expected.”
Throughout the region, many other hospitals are also reporting a surge in flu cases, especially influenza A. That is posing risks for the general population and creating challenges for health-care providers.
“We are telling patients they should stay home if their symptoms are not that severe,” said Dr. Tom Pirosko, medical director of the emergency department at Washington Health System-Greene. “They can usually self-treat moderate symptoms of the flu with rest, hydration and over-the-counter medications such as Tyleonol or ibuprofen. The problem is that patients can infect other people one day before symptoms develop and up to seven days after they become sick. So they should avoid contact with other people when they are most contagious.”
In addition, hospitals can find their resources stretched out when patients with less severe symptoms flock to the emergency department.
“That strains our resources and can cause delays in emergency care for patients with other problems,” said Aiello.
Dr. Surabhi Gaur, medical director of emergency medicine at Uniontown Hospital, said that certain types of patients should seek prompt medical attention if they have the flu, including elderly persons, young children, pregnant women and people with comorbid conditions such as diabetes, cancer or a respiratory condition.
“Influenza can be very serious and even life-threatening for these patients,” she explained. “If necessary, we can help those patients with breathing treatments and IV hydration.”
While the flu vaccine does not guarantee 100 percent protection, it is usually a good match for most circulating influenza viruses. Furthermore, a flu vaccine can reduce the severity or duration of symptoms of the flu, the doctors said.
“Unless someone has a contraindication, such as an allergy to a flu shot, they should get vaccinated,” said Pirosko. “It usually takes about two weeks for your body to build up antibodies to fight against infection. The flu season peaks in February but can last as late as May. So it’s never too late to get a flu shot.”
To prevent the spread of the virus, the medical professionals recommend following standard precautions, such as frequent handwashing and covering coughs or sneezes.
“People should use a tissue to cover a cough or sneeze,” said Pirosko. “If someone doesn’t have a tissue available, they should cough into their sleeve or elbow, rather than into their hands.”
Common symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, upper respiratory congestion, muscle aches, coughing, sore throat and fatigue, as well as some occasional gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Antivirals such as Tamiflu may provide some effectiveness in minimizing the severity or duration of the flu, but they have to be taken within 24 to 48 hours of onset of symptoms. Antibiotics are only used if there is a bacterial complication of the flu.
Ultimately, patients have to use their best judgment when dealing with the flu.
“Most cases of the flu will subside within a few days, although some persons may take up to a few weeks to get better,” said Gaur. “If their symptoms worsen or if they are in doubt, patients should contact their doctor.”