Reports of flu cases on the rise are sweeping the nation, including an increase of deaths in North Carolina. In a press release from St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus, Director Marketing/Public Relations Kathy Woodham reported that 20 people in North Carolina have died from flu-related causes since the season began in October 2017. That number, she says, is nearly double the 11 flu-related deaths reported around the same time period last year. 

“We’ve had an uptick in ED [emergency department] visits,” Woodham said. “About 35 to 40 percent of patients have been diagnosed with flu.” 

Polk County School Health/Pre-school Director Kathy Harding, RN said the schools were not yet seeing a significant number of absentees due to the flu, but that could change. 

“Of course we’ve been out for the holidays,” Harding added. She also said the number of flu-related absentees could change as they move more into the flu season. “If we go on past history, we usually see a number of absences increase during flu season. Right now we’re not seeing that,” she said.  

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site, for the week of December 24-30, 2017, “The number of jurisdictions experiencing high [influenza] activity went from 21 states to 26 states and New York City and the number of states reporting widespread activity went from 36 to 46.” St. Luke’s Hospital reported 46,000 cases of influenza diagnosed across the country.  

Harding said Polk County schools are asking their staff and teachers to observe prevention techniques such as providing time for hand washing, educating students and staff to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, sending home those with a fever, encouraging early medical evaluation for sick students and staff and staying in communication with local public health officials. 

St. Luke’s Hospital announced they are taking several measures to protect patients and staff. As of Tuesday, Jan. 9, hospital officials request no visitors under the age of 12 and no visitors who are experiencing flu-like symptoms. 

“Unless you are coming to the hospital for treatment, no one with flu-like symptoms should be visiting patients in a hospital,” said St. Luke’s Hospital’s Infection Preventionist Lori Rothell, RN. “Our patients are already in a compromised state of health, so please be mindful, stay home, and take care of yourself.” 

“This flu season is considered aggressive, and the flu itself can be dangerous,” Rothell continued. “We apologize for any inconvenience these visitor restrictions may cause, but protecting our patients is our first priority. We also want and need our caregivers to be healthy, on the job and capable of caring for sick patients.” 

Of course St. Luke’s, the CDC and other health care entities are recommending the flu shot, saying it is not too late in the season for the shot to be effective.  

Doctors from American Family Care published a list of cautions to help with flu prevention including:  

1. While regular exercise is good, AFC doctors say over-exertion and not drinking enough water can weaken the immune system, increasing risk of possible infection.
2. Going low carb. AFC said studies have shown that rice, oats and buckwheat can build healthy bacteria in the stomach and research by the American Physiological Society concluded a substance found in fruit and vegetables, called quercetin, reduced the likelihood of flu in mice.
3. Stay home when sick. In order to prevent infection from spreading to others, doctors recommend patients stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone.
4. Vape pens. Studies have found the vapors in electronic cigarettes can trigger substantial inflammation in the lungs making users more susceptible to infections by bacteria or viruses like the flu.
5. Avoid stress. A study by the Carnegie Mellon University found long-term stress could weaken someone’s ability to fight infection.

Other recommended preventative measures include avoiding handshakes or sharing pens, using a paper towel when handling the gas pump nozzle and wiping phones, tablets and other electronic devices down with disinfectants.