Is flu season getting started? Numbers at Reid suggest that’s possible

A Reid hospital physician who monitors flu cases year-round believes he’s seeing signs of the beginning of this year’s flu season – and if true, it is coming earlier than last year.

Tom Huth, M.D., Reid Vice President/Medical Affairs, said the hospital has seen 14 confirmed cases in the past two weeks as of Thursday, enough for him to believe the annual uptick of flu cases is beginning. “Basing it on the trends of previous years, I might expect this year’s season may peak earlier than normal, possibly the first week of December,” Dr. Huth said. Last year’s flu season peaked in early January before beginning a decline, he noted.

Dr. Huth monitors flu-like illness by gathering information from Reid’s Emergency Department and Reid physician practices. He said now is a good time for people who have not had a flu shot to get one. “It’s not too late for a shot,” he said. “It is one of the best ways to avoid the flu and its potential complications.”
Otherwise, the basics of infection prevention are the same:

• Wash your hands. Hand-washing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of flu and other illnesses.
• Avoid sharing bugs. Students and adults who believe they are ill should avoid others – stay home from school and work when infectious, for example, and don’t visit people in the hospital or nursing home.
•  Cover your cough. The best way to cover a cough is to use your sleeve and arm, not hands.

Huth said it is always best to utilize an emergency department only as a last resort if the flu is suspected. Reid also offers a free service where people can call a nurse for medical advice if they have questions about flu or other issues. “Reid Nurse Connect” can be reached 24/7 at 1-855-4REIDRN (1-855-473-4376).

Influenza is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system (nose, throat and lungs). Flu symptoms often appear suddenly and include a fever, cough and/or sore throat, runny nose and headaches or body aches. Unlike a stomach virus, the flu typically does not cause symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.

The best time to treat flu symptoms within 72 hours after the initial onset of symptoms.
Flu vaccines are usually available at doctors’ offices, urgent care centers, pharmacies and county health departments. The vaccine is often covered by insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid. The Centers for Disease Control recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone over six months of age, especially for the very young, elderly and those who are caregivers. Early fall is the best time to get immunized, but it’s never too late.