EDITORIAL: Do your part to stop the spread of flu
The fa-la-laing is done, but for some, it’s given way to fever, cough and body aches.
After a month of holiday parties, gatherings with family and friends, and venturing out to shop in stories, it’s inevitable that many people will find themselves sick with the flu.
As of Jan. 5, flu cases were surging, according to the Associated Press. The news organization cited data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the week of Christmas, noting “that by some measures this season is already surpassing the flu epidemic of last winter, one of the harshest in recent history.”
And, according to Dr. Robert Hopkins, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, the worst is yet to come.
“The fact that we’ve seen steady increases over the last several weeks without much of a decline or even a flattening would suggest to me that we’ve got the peak ahead of us,” Hopkins told the AP.
There has been a surge in flu cases in Pennsylvania, according to the state Department of Health.
As of Jan. 3, data from the DOH indicated the percentage of patients who came to the emergency room for flu treatment was “very high” for all ages.
The CDC called vaccination “the single best way” to avoid or lessen the effects of the flu. That’s especially true for those who are at higher risk of complications that could lead to hospitalization or death.
Those at-risk groups include people who are 65 and older; have chronic diseases or a weakened immune system; or who have neurological conditions, blood disorders or a body mass index of 40 or higher.
The good news: If you haven’t been vaccinated, it’s not too late. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases notes that as long as the flu is circulating where you live, then the shot can help.
For those who can’t get the vaccine or choose not to, health experts recommend diligent hand washing, and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Another recommendation is to avoid people who are sick. Unfortunately, that doesn’t account for people who aren’t yet actively sick, or who are asymptomatic.
Whether you get the vaccine or skip it, there is one surefire way to help control the spread of the flu: stay home if you’re sick.
It’s not only the courteous thing to do, it’s something that can potentially help others avoid hospitalization or death.