Health & Fitness

Montgomery County Sees Jump In Flu Cases During National Epidemic

The 2018 flu season is now a national epidemic: Montgomery County reports widespread cases of the flu and urge residents to get vaccinated.

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The 2018 flu season is now officially being called an epidemic, and the sharp increase in flu patients is being seen right here in Montgomery County.

State health departments are reporting widespread cases of the flu throughout the county and urge residents to get vaccinated and practice prevention measures.

“The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated,” Dr. Travis Gayles, County Health Officer, said in a statement. “If you haven’t received a flu shot yet, there is still time to get one and help protect you and those around you.”

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According to the Maryland Department of Health, the second week of January saw widespread geographic activity of influenza. Officials said 208 people tested positive for the flu.

“Looking at this season and the past five seasons, this is the worst one we’ve seen,” Preetha Iyengar, supervisory epidemiologist at the District’s Department of Health, told The Washington Post.

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Because the flu is so contagious, the six Montgomery County hospitals are implementing visitor restrictions to help protect the health of patients, staff and other visitors. Visitors who exhibit flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and muscle aches will not be allowed to enter the hospital.

Children under the age of 12 will not be allowed in any area of the hospital, except in urgent situations.

Tragically, the flu has killed 30 children so far in the U.S. this year, a third of them during the week ending Jan. 13, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Some of those children had received flu shots, but died anyway.

So far, the 2018 flu season has not reached historic levels, but it is on par with the worst flu season in recent years, the 2014-2015 season. As with any flu virus, the people most at risk are the elderly, children under five and people who are immunocompromised, such as pregnant women, cancer patients or people with chronic diseases.

These tips can help prevent spreading germs:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

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