Flu is taking its toll
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on December 24, 2014 1:46 PM
It starts with a cough, a sore throat or just a general feeling of malaise.
The flu can be a nuisance -- and a concern, and it has been very active around the country this holiday season.
In Wayne County, Wayne Memorial Hospital has seen more than 200 confirmed cases of the flu since Oct. 1, hospital public information officer Georgia Dees said.
More than 1,000 people were tested on suspicion of having what is commonly known as "the crud."
The hospital has seen so many people with flu-related health issues since the beginning of December that officials are now restricting visitors.
Wayne Memorial Hospital is not allowing visitors age 12 and younger in the hospital, is limiting visitors to two per patient room and is asking that anyone who has a fever or cough not to visit patients to prevent the spread of disease.
And for those of you who have had the flu shot, the decision was a wise one, but it might not keep you from getting sick, local doctors say,
"The current vaccine is not a perfect one to one match with this year's virus," said Dr. Sakeitha Crowder with Goldsboro Medical Clinic. "There are some genetic differences between the virus and the vaccine, which makes this year's virus slightly more aggressive."
Dr. Crowder said this year's vaccine defends its recipients against the H1N1, H3N2 and Influenza B strands of the flu, but there are a few deviant strands the vaccine does not defend against, causing this year's flu to be slightly worse than in previous years.
She said people should not be concerned about the deviant strands however, because more than 96 percent of all flu cases reported nationwide have been the H1N1 and H3N2 strands of the virus, which the vaccine protects against.
While vaccination is still the most effective form of flu prevention, Dr. Crowder said in case of infection people should stay hydrated and call their doctor immediately.
There is also an uncommon symptom that can help to detect flu this year.
"There are actually patients coming in this year that are reporting they had diarrhea the day before they developed flu-like symptoms," Dr. Crowder said.
Flu-like symptoms include fevers over 100.5 degrees, muscle pains, headaches, coughing, a sore throat, a runny nose, chills and fatigue, Dr. Crowder said.
The incubation period of this year's virus is four to 10 days, and it is spread through contact with an infected person's respiratory droplets, put into the air by coughing. Because of this, avoiding contact with the infected is recommended, Dr. Crowder said.
If you have not yet received your flu vaccine, vaccines are still available at the Wayne County Health Department, local pharmacies and through your general practitioner, Dr. Crowder said.
Vaccinations are recommended for everyone age 6 months old and older.