With the holidays comes family, fun, and now, flu. Across the state, doctors said they’re seeing a stunning uptick in influenza A and B cases. Doctors tell us these contagious illnesses most people are bringing home from Christmas gatherings are putting kids at risk.Around the state, pediatricians’ offices and hospitals’ waiting rooms are filling up. Starting Wednesday, Prisma Health is limiting visits to patients younger than 16.As of December 16, DHEC’s site says 1,115 people were in the hospital with the flu. But after Christmas gatherings, Dr. Helmut Albrecht said about 20 percent of Prisma ER patients have the flu or flu-like illness. Though it’s already an active flu season, he said you can keep sickness at bay. “Absolutely get vaccinated,” Albrecht said. “They’re safe, and even if they don’t keep you from getting the flu, they can help the severity of the flu illness if you do get it,” said Kendall Huguley, an FNP with Parkside Pediatrics.And if you are exposed to the flu virus, stay away from other people with weakened immune systems. “Don’t go out to work, to the store, and certainly not to the hospital when you are sick to visit,” Albrecht said.We also spoke with doctors about when to bring your kids into the doctor’s office or hospital. If they’ve had a fever five days or more, or are having shortness of breath, bring them in.Huguley also said if you want to treat flu symptoms with Tamiflu, it only works if you treat them within the first 48 hours of feeling symptoms.
With the holidays comes family, fun, and now, flu. Across the state, doctors said they’re seeing a stunning uptick in influenza A and B cases.
Doctors tell us these contagious illnesses most people are bringing home from Christmas gatherings are putting kids at risk.
Around the state, pediatricians’ offices and hospitals’ waiting rooms are filling up. Starting Wednesday, Prisma Health is limiting visits to patients younger than 16.
As of December 16, DHEC’s site says 1,115 people were in the hospital with the flu. But after Christmas gatherings, Dr. Helmut Albrecht said about 20 percent of Prisma ER patients have the flu or flu-like illness.
Though it’s already an active flu season, he said you can keep sickness at bay.
“Absolutely get vaccinated,” Albrecht said.
“They’re safe, and even if they don’t keep you from getting the flu, they can help the severity of the flu illness if you do get it,” said Kendall Huguley, an FNP with Parkside Pediatrics.
And if you are exposed to the flu virus, stay away from other people with weakened immune systems.
“Don’t go out to work, to the store, and certainly not to the hospital when you are sick to visit,” Albrecht said.
We also spoke with doctors about when to bring your kids into the doctor’s office or hospital. If they’ve had a fever five days or more, or are having shortness of breath, bring them in.
Huguley also said if you want to treat flu symptoms with Tamiflu, it only works if you treat them within the first 48 hours of feeling symptoms.
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