Influenza rates are 'very high' in Indiana. How to protect yourself
Indiana is seeing "very high" rates of influenza activity in emergency rooms and primary care offices across the state, as national cases of influenza hit a 15-year high.
Influenza rates in Indiana jumped from high to very high Tuesday, according to Indiana Department of Health data. Indiana's influenza uptick is in line with activity in other states as flu season hits its seasonal peak, said state epidemiologist Eric Hawkins.At the same time, other respiratory viruses — like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the common cold and coronavirus —are also circulating.
Most pharmacies have at-home tests available to test for the flu and coronavirus. However, other respiratory illnesses, such as RSV, require testing at a primary or urgent care office.
But this week has been one of the highest influenza peaks since the coronavirus pandemic.
Elderly patients and infants are among the most vulnerable patients. Indiana has recorded 57 influenza-related deaths this season as of Tuesday, with people over the age of 65 accounting for 41 of the deaths.
No Indiana infants under the age of four have died from influenza this year, according to IDOH.
In the past week, 13% of children under four years old visiting the emergency room presented signs of influenza, based on state data collected from 119 hospital emergency rooms and 23 urgent care centers.
"Right now, the important thing is it's respiratory season, so we have lots of things circulating, and the reason we have this information out there is to make people aware that there are things that they can do to prevent illness and respiratory illnesses," Hawkins said.
Influenza or flu typically presents with a high fever (over 100 degrees) accompanied by a cold or sore throat. Influenza spreads through person-to-person interactions, usually when a sick person coughs, sneezes or talks.
Vaccines can prevent severe infections and medical complications from the flu, said Dr. John Christenson, associate medical director of pediatric infection prevention at Riley Hospital for Children.
It's not too late for patients to receive the flu vaccine from a pharmacy or primary care provider, Christenson said. The vaccine takes up to 10 days to take effect.
"We hope that [parents] consider that influenza is still here and get this flu vaccine, so they can protect their family," Christenson said. "The vaccine is not a perfect vaccine. We've known that for decades. It may not prevent infection, but one thing we are pretty certain of is that the vaccine prevents death and hospitalizations."
Those who are elderly, immunocompromised or under the age of four can develop severe complications with influenza. If parents notice children having difficulty breathing or not taking enough food or fluids, they should seek additional medical care, Christenson said.
Even those vaccinated can still catch influenza. People can protect themselves and others with the "three C's," Hawkins said: cleaning hands and surfaces regularly; covering one's mouth when coughing; and containing the virus by staying home if ill.
"It does fluctuate and go up and down, but the take home message here with influenza always around is, what are the things you could do to prevent illness? And I think that's one thing that we can help with," Hawkins said.
Flu season runs from October to May, with peaks varying year to year. Doctors expect flu activity to start to decrease in March.
Flu rates reached unusual lows in the 2020-21 winter season due to widespread masking. However, in the last three years, flu rates in the colder months have ticked back up.
More: Flu has officially hit a second high in the US: Know the symptoms
The flu and COVID-19 have several symptoms in common. Here's how to tell the difference between the two viruses:
Alysa Guffey covers business and development for IndyStar. Have a story or tip? Contact her at amguffey@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Flu rates are 'very high' in Indiana. How to prevent catching irus
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