Flu now 'rampant' says Marshall Browning specialist

In the first two weeks of December, Illinois and the Midwest went from "localized" outbreaks of influenza to "widespread" outbreaks of influenza. The Midwestern region of the country had the second highest percentage of "Influenza-like illness(ILI)" in the country according to the report from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that was released Dec. 19. Only the southern states along the gulf coast had a higher rate of influenza-like illness. This report covered the data through Dec. 6, 2014. The report addressed the effectiveness of the vaccine this year and what seems to be happening in response to the changes in the H3N2 influenza A virus.

The flu vaccine is designed to protect from either three or four types of influenza, depending on which type you receive. "Trivalent" covers two types of influenza A and one type of influenza B. "Quadrivalent" covers both types of influenza A and two types of influenza B. This year one of the influenza A viruses (H3N2) mutated (drifted) after the formula was selected and is not covered as completely as it was last year. However, the vaccine does match well so far with the second influenza A and both influenza B types. Even with the drift, the vaccine does give some protection from the H3N2 influenza A viruses.

"Marshall Browning has been seeing an increase in influenza-like illnesses in the emergency department this month," according to Sue Dixon, infection prevention nurse manager at the hospital, who says the flu spread is now "rampant."

"Patients are presenting with fever, breathing problems, body aches, and sometimes nausea. According to the infection prevention department, about seven to eight patients per day (out of approximately 18 seen in the emergency department each day) have either positive influenza tests or have symptoms indicating influenza or another similar viral illness. Test results mostly indicate influenza A, although most facilities across the country do not test for specific genetic types (H3N2 or another type). A few patients have also tested positive for influenza B. Locally, in Southern Illinois, we have also been seeing an intestinal virus (likely a form of norovirus) causing nausea, vomiting, and severe diarrhea. This is what is commonly called "stomach flu" even though it is not an actual influenza," she said.

There are several common sense measures to protect yourself from these viruses. They are the same for influenza as well as the intestinal virus.

Easy Steps to Help Prevent the Spread of Viruses

1. Wash your hands and/ or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently, especially before eating or drinking anything.

2. Don't touch the "T-zone" (eyes, nose, around the mouth) with dirty hands.

3. Stay home when you are sick. Don't share your germs.

4. Don't visit the hospital or nursing home if you are sick or if there is wide-spread infection there. Call, send a card, write a note or letter instead.

5. If you must go out in public when you are sick, be courteous, wear a mask.

6. If you are in a public place and someone else is coughing, sneezing or has other symptoms then consider wearing a mask to protect yourself.

7. If you haven't gotten the flu vaccine yet, get it (unless you have a medical reason you healthcare provider has told you not to get it).

"Our goal is a healthy 2015 for Perry County residents. Please help us accomplish that," said Dixon.