'Half Of Hospitalized Flu Patients Are Obese,' Health Dept. Says

PIERCE COUNTY, WA - As influenza activity increases across Pierce County, health officials in Tacoma in their latest influenza report noted a disproportionate percentage of hospitalized patients are considered obese.

With a median body mass index (BMI) of 30.2 kg/m2, Pierce County patients are reportedly contributing to a national statistic that identifies obesity as one of the most common conditions combined with influenza-related illness found in hospitalized patients.

In its Jan. 8 update, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department officials reported 15 more people were hospitalized for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) since Dec. 31, bringing the total number of hospitalized patients in Pierce County to 41 since Sept. 22.

The rate of obese ILI patients in Pierce County appears to follow a trend from previous years. The county reported 31 percent of patients were considered obese for the 2016-2017 season, and 43 percent during the 2017-2018 season.

The median age for hospitalized patients is currently 55 years old. Of the nine people to die from ILI in Washington so-far this season, three were from Pierce County, according to the health department. Most recently, ILI claimed the life of a 70-year-old individual who was already battling a long-term illness.

ILI fatalities are reportedly most common among older patients and children, though no pediatric deaths have been reported in Washington yet this season. Nationally, at least 13 children have died from ILI complications.

For more details from the county's Jan. 8 report, visit TPCHD.org.

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