Flu shots urged as holidays approach

Ohio hospital cases rise; Montgomery County saw eight last week.

Flu-related hospitalizations are increasing and health officials are urging Ohioans to get their flu shot as the holidays approach.

Ohio Department of Health data released Friday showed the state recorded 108 influenza-related hospitalizations from Nov. 10 to Nov. 16, up from 83 the week before. Eight of those were in Montgomery County.

“Flu season is upon us,” said Mark Hurst, a doctor and the medical director of the Ohio Department of Health. “I know we all love spending time with our loved ones around the holidays, so the most loving thing you could do is get your flu shot, or stay home if you’ve tested positive for the flu.”

Two hospitalizations were reported in Greene County in that same period of time and three in Clark County because of the flu. In Warren and Butler counties, there were three and four influenza hospitalizations, respectively.

Hurst said the flu is unpredictable. This time last year, Nov. 11 to Nov. 17, 2018, there were 86 influenza-related hospitalizations — about a quarter less hospitalizations than there have been this year. The year before that saw 130 flu-related hospitalizations.

“There is nothing we’re seeing right now that would indicate that this flu season as a whole is going to be worse than in years past,” Hurst said.

However, Hurst said the flu is a serious illness.

“In the average flu season, we lose a number of Ohioans,” Hurst said.

Twenty-two Montgomery County residents died from flu-related complications last year, said Dan Suffoletto, the public information supervisor for Public Health–Dayton & Montgomery County. One of those flu-related deaths was someone younger than 18, and 19 of those deaths were residents who were 65 and older.

Hurst recommends getting a flu shot as soon as possible. The flu vaccine takes up to two weeks to become fully effective and it is recommended for anyone over six months of age. The only people who should not get a flu shot are those who have had an allergic reaction to the vaccine in the past, Hurst said.

“You want to have an immunity built up so that you don’t spread the flu to your relatives during the holidays, or so that you don’t contract it from your relatives,” Hurst said.

Each year scientists formulate the vaccine based on what types of flu strain they expect. This year the vaccine includes protections against H1N1 and H3N2. It’s still possible to become sick by catching a different strain not covered in the vaccine.

“The more physical contact you have with people increases your chances of getting the flu,” Suffoletto said.

It is important for people who think they may have the flu to stay home from work or school, especially around the holidays, said Mark Williams, a physician with Jamestown Family Medicine in Xenia. People should also consider staying home if they have a fever.

It is also very important for people to cover their mouths with their elbows and not their hands when they cough or sneeze.

Williams said washing hands frequently is the number one thing people can do to try and stay well.

“With the holidays coming up, it is especially important that you wash your hands if you’re preparing food for other people,” Suffoletto said.

Dayton Children’s Hospital had its first flu-related admission about a week ago, prompting the hospital to restrict some visitor access.

Last flu season resulted in four children’s deaths and more than 9,800 hospitalizations in Ohio alone.

Hurst said January and February are typically the peak months for flu-related hospitalizations.