Visitor restrictions at Wrexham Maelor Hospital following flu cases

It is now again urging people to get the flu vaccination, following a number of deaths from the so-called “Aussie flu” strain.

According to the CDC’s weekly data, 97,003 cases of flu-like illnesses were reported last week, an increase of 24 percent from the week before, indicating that the nation is experiencing the peak of this flu season.

Well, according to the report there are a number of “higher risk” groups. Antivirals are especially important for at-risk patients, including: kids under 2 years old and adults over 65, pregnant women, people with asthma, and patients with weakened immune systems.

The flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more common and intense.

What if you think you have it?

Influenza s ymptoms tend to arise pretty suddenly, and can include: fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, chills/body aches, and headaches, vomiting and diarrhea.

The annual flu vaccination program began on October 1 a year ago, offering free flu shots to high-risk groups, including toddlers, students under the age of 18 and patients suffering from chronic diseases. For anyone in those higher risk categories, contacting a GP should be the next step. Stay home and stay warm, the CDC recommends.

Why has it been in the media recently?

FLU season swept into IL and Missouri just before the cold weather settled in the week before Christmas, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now reports that 36 states have reported widespread flu outbreaks. The comments were made in a now removed Instagram post.

Hospitals have been overwhelmed with the influx of infected patients seeing an average of 10 patients a day that are admitted for flu-symptoms. The HSE would urge those who have not yet been vaccinated to join their peers and their colleagues in getting the flu vaccine’.

Dr. Greg Kendrick, the chief of the medial staff and director of the Conway Regional Hospitalist program, said the amount of cases they see varies from year to year but are seeing it a little worse this year and earlier than last year.

‘There was a health alert on Wednesday letting providers know that they should be highly suspicious of anyone with flu-like symptoms and start treating them with antivirals, ‘ Anton said.

Schaffner said, “No matter what the dominant strain is, there are other strains out there that produce influenza and the vaccine is often very good at protecting against those”.

Most health insurance plans cover influenza vaccines.