Hanover hospital treats ‘widespread’ flu cases
York City resident Luz De Jesus gets a flu shot at Family First Health from Medical Assistant Patrisia Trejo-Armentilla. De Jesus has never had the flu, but wanted to get a shot to prevent the illness. (Photo: Maddie Crocenzi)
Hanover’s hospital is seeing an unusual influx of patients with the flu, a representative confirmed this week.
In January 2017, UPMC Pinnacle Hanover treated 38 cases of the flu. By comparison, the hospital has seen 237 cases of the flu in Jan. 2018, Lisa Duffy, director of marketing for Hanover Hospital, said Friday.
Still, while the hospital has been quite full, the extra cases are not more than the facility can handle, Duffy said.
The flu is considered “widespread” in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. That means the virus has been confirmed in a lab in at least half of the regions of the state, The York Daily Record reported in January.
That might be because of a less effective flu shot. Dr. Marijka Grey, regional medical director at WellSpan Medical Group, told the YDR this year’s flu shot is only 10 percent to 30 percent effective.
Doctors are desperate for flu tests after the FDA banned two top brands in the peak of this flu season. Veuer’s Maria Mercedes Galuppo (@mariamgaluppo) has the story. Buzz60
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Grey said the CDC typically takes a look at the strains of flu going around the world to create the vaccine. However, Grey said there was a “slight mutation” since those vaccines were developed.
Flu symptoms come on fast. They include headaches, runny eyes and nose, fever, chills and body aches, according to Grey. She recommends seeing a doctor within 48-72 hours because a physician might prescribe medication to help reduce symptoms.
To stay clear of the flu until its end — typically around March — Grey recommends frequent hand washing, following good hygiene, resting and drinking plenty of fluids.
