Instances of sneezing, coughing and other flu-like symptoms are rampant across the four-county region as the number of cases has skyrocketed.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports that there have been 223 confirmed influenza cases in Potter County, 182 in McKean County, 179 in Elk County and 21 in Cameron County for the week ending March 25.
That’s a big jump from cases listed from Oct. 2 through Feb. 18. During that time, McKean County had 76 confirmed cases of influenza; Potter County, 111; Elk County, 62; and 10 in Cameron County, according to the state Department of Health website.
“Flu is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system — nose, throat and lungs,” said Kristine Zitnik, director of quality management /infection prevention at Cole Memorial of Coudersport. “There are some simple things like washing your hands frequently and covering your cough that can really make a difference in limiting its spread.”
Typically, the flu hits people suddenly and symptoms could include fever, headache, tiredness (can be extreme), dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches, according to the state Department of Health. People can also experience vomiting and diarrhea, which is more common with children, state officials say.
Individuals 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season, especially those deemed of being high risk of serious complications from influenza, health officials suggest.
“For those who believe they have contracted the flu, it is important to take a few measures to ensure you recover quickly and, more importantly, prevent spreading it to your family, friends, co-workers and other patients,” Cole Memorial officials say.
Among those tips include staying home and avoiding contact with others, especially at the hospital or nursing home; resting and drinking plenty of fluids; washing hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer; and covering one’s nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or coughing or sneezing into one’s sleeve. If needed, people should also take medication to reduce a fever.
“It’s also important to watch for signs and symptoms of more serious illness,” Cole Memorial officials said.
With children, those symptoms include fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, not urinating or no tears when crying, severe or repeated vomiting, not waking up or not interacting, being so irritable that he or she does not want to be held, pain or pressure in chest or belly, sudden dizziness, confusion, flu-like symptoms that get better but then return with fever and worse cough and fever with a rash.
For adults, those symptoms include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or belly, sudden dizziness, severe dehydration and confusion. People can also experience severe or repeated vomiting flu-like symptoms that improve but then worsen with fever and cough.
Flu season runs through May 20.
For more information about the flu season in Pennsylvania, visit www.health.pa.gov.
