I'm from NYC but I've heard about the amounts of people that have been struck with it.
Check out this article I've come across.
120 flu cases at PCH last week; the season to be sick is just starting
By BRANDON DYE
Princeton Times
PRINCETON — With Mercer County now in the middle of winter, the next few weeks are typically are the time when the flu bug begins to bite.
So far, Mercer County has seen sporadic cases throughout, Mercer County Health Department administrator Melody Rickman said this week.
“We’ve had a few cases here and a few cases there,” she said.
Rickman said that the flu hasn’t hit too many victims, but the season is just starting and could last quite a while.
“We’ve had flu cases through May,” she said. “It usually peaks through January and February.”
According to the Health Department’s website, influenza (flu) affects all age groups and and can spread from one person by coughing or sneezing in the proximity of another person’s space. It can also be spread by direct contact of nasal discharges.
Rickman said that the very young and the very old are at greater risk of getting secondary infections, such as penuemonia.
Also, people who have the flu may experience a fever of 101-102 degrees, chills, muscle aches, sore throat and a dry cough. Further symptoms may have include abdominal pain, nausea, runny nose, headache, eye pain, and even light sensitivity.
In the past week, Princeton Community Hospital has reported 120 flu cases to the Health Department, spokesperson Deb Griffith said.
Griffith said that there have been two types of flu that have been reported. The first begins with a cold and respiratory systems. The second, and more severe case, includes vomiting and diarrhea. PCH physicians advise that people should wash their hands frequently, avoid heavy crowds, and if you have the flu, stay home to prevent spreading.
The flu bug can also bring along some complications. Along with the complication of penuemonia, flu patients may suffer from other complications such as heart problems, lung problems, or even death.
“That is why we encourage everyone over the age of six months to get flu shots,” Rickman said. “The recommended time to get them is between October and February.”
The flu shot, which is a vaccine, is the best way to squash the flu bug. According to the Health Department’s website, there are two types of vaccines. One is the popular flu shot, and the other is administered as nose drops (LAIV). The LAIV is licensed for healthy individuals for the ages 5-49.
There have been 6,000 flu shots given, but there are close to 64,000 people in Mercer County, Rickman said.
“All age groups, of the 6,000, have been given the flu shot,” Rickman said. “And it’s not just Mercer County residents.”
Rickman encourages all people to get their flu shots as soon as possible because the bug may bite even beyond February.
“Sometimes you will see an increase of the flu in March and April,” Rickman said. “If you haven’t had one now, you need to get one.”
Rickman said that people who are seeking the flu shot should first consult with their family physician; however, if it is not offered, then people could visit the Health Department.
For more information, contact your family doctor or you can contact the Mercer County Health Department at 323-2392.
— Contact Brandon Dye at
bdye@ptonline.net.
