It Might Be The Flu

It appears that the flu has arrived - this week’s FluView reports the national percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza was 15.5 percent. This is the second consecutive week this number has been above 10 percent; generally a marker to indicate that flu season is beginning.

In Connecticut, the percentage of total emergency department visits attributed to the “fever/flu” syndrome category has increased above 5% statewide during the past week after four consecutive weeks with statewide “fever/flu” visits below 5%. The percentage of pneumonia admissions among all statewide hospital admissions increased during the past two weeks and now exceeds 5% (more than 375 pneumonia admissions statewide) after decreasing the previous three weeks.

There is still time to get a flu shot, since a late start to the season may indicate that it may extend well into the spring.           

 

P.S. Be sure to wash hands well if visiting Missouri.