GREENFIELD — With a winter marked by 60-degree highs and sub-zero wind chills, it’s no surprise that tissues and cough drops are in high demand.
It’s always a busy season for Kelly Manning, infection prevention manager at Hancock Regional Hospital.
She has spent much of her time lately educating the public about the importance of flu prevention and reminding health-care providers of best practices to prevent the spread of disease within health-care facilities.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting an increase in influenza and influenza-like illnesses across the country, the percentage of patients testing positive for the flu at Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield is slightly down from last year — 16% vs. 24% at this time last year. The numbers have been fairly consistent for the past five years, said Manning, but it’s essential that everyone takes the risk of flu seriously.
As of late last week, the CDC estimated there have been at least 13 million flu illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations and 6,600 deaths from influenza so far this flu season, which is generally late September through March.
Seven flu-related deaths among children under 18 were reported in the past week nationwide, bringing the total number of pediatric deaths this season to 39.
In Indiana, according to the Indiana State Department of Health, 31 deaths were attributed to flu-like illnesses through Jan. 11, the latest date for which figures were available. That compares to eight deaths through the same period a year earlier. Fifteen of the 31 victims were senior citizens.
The flu turns fatal in relatively few cases, said Manning, but it’s best to use caution.
“In cases where it does turn fatal, a lot of times the patient ends up with pneumonia and their organ shuts down. That’s pretty much the cause of death in these patients, especially the elderly or pregnant women,” said Manning, who said precautions have been put in place at Hancock Regional to prevent spreading the virus.
“Anyone with flu-like symptoms like coughing, fever and body aches should not visit,” she said. “We are limiting visitors to immediate family, partners, whoever the patient designates that they want with them, to keep extra people out of the hospital. It’s really strongly recommended that no one under the age of 18 visit as well.”
Visitors with a cough are asked to wear a mask, even if they don’t appear to have the flu. “You can be sick up to a day or two before and not know it,” Manning said.
The number of verified local flu cases is down somewhat this year, but there are a lot of other respiratory illnesses going around, she said.
Manning urges every individual to get a flu shot, even if they think they won’t get the flu. “If you don’t get it for you, then get it or those people who can’t be vaccinated, like infants below 6 months of age. It’s really important that other people around them receive the flu shot so that we don’t give it to them,” she said. Doing so prevents people from spreading the virus to those most susceptible to succumbing to the flu, like children, the elderly, pregnant women and those whose immune systems are compromised.
The Hancock County Health Department offers $5 flu shots for the uninsured. “You just need to call in advance to make sure we have a nurse available,” said Crystal Baker, the department’s office manager.
The health department has administered more than 1,300 flu shots and seen about 150 flu cases so far this year, which is roughly on par with the same time last year, said Baker.
Shots are mandatory for employees at Hancock Regional Hospital, unless they opt out for medical or religious reasons, Manning said.
“We also offer the flu shot to patients when they’re admitted to the hospital, and we generally get near 100% compliance when it’s offered,” she said.
There’s still two months of flu season left, so it’s not too late to get vaccinated, said Manning. “It’s the best way to prevent getting the flu. Even though it can’t protect you from getting the flu 100 percent, it can protect you from getting serious complications from the flu,” she said.
Flu shots are typically covered by insurance, said Manning. Without insurance, the shot typically costs between $20 and $30. Contact your insurance provider or local health department to learn more.
For those who do come down with flu-like symptoms — which can include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue — the best treatment is typically lots of fluids and bed rest, Manning said.
There are no doubt plenty of germs out there, but there are several simple steps to protect yourself and others during this flu season, said Libby Richards, an associate professor of nursing who specializes in public health in Purdue University’s School of Nursing.
The biggest two precautions are to get a flu shot and limit your exposure to germs, she said. Reduce your risk with frequent hand-washing, limiting time spent in crowds, and avoiding touching your mouth, nose and eyes as much as possible.
“Everyone with flu-like symptoms should stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others until they have been fever-free without the use of medications for 24 hours,” said Richards, adding some common sense advice for keeping flu-free. “Use proper cough hygiene by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then properly dispose of the tissue immediately and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer,” she said.
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Flu vaccines are still available at the Hancock County Health Department. For uninsured people, the cost is $5.
The health department is in the Hancock County Courthouse Annex, 111 American Legion Place, Suite 150.
People interested in obtaining a flu shot should call ahead to be sure a nurse is available to administer it.
For more information: 317-477-1125 or on the web at www.hancockcoingov.org/hancock-county-health-department
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