WVU Medicine stresses symptoms and prevention as flu season lingers

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Spring may be approaching, but flu season is far from over. WVU Medicine encourages everyone to continue taking precautions to stop the spread of the virus.  

A typical flu season begins in October and peaks between December and February. This season, however, an early-December surge crowded emergency rooms across the country. West Virginia experienced its highest spike of flu-related emergency room visits in January, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

Matthew Lokant, M.D., WVU Health System healthcare epidemiologist, said that doctors at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital have seen an increase in all respiratory infections since January, the top three of which include flu, COVID, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  

“Typically, we do see more hospitalizations and complications in our extremes of age, like very young children and our elderly adults,” Dr. Lokant said.  

The CDC reported that all age groups have experienced more severe flu than usual this season, but Lokant explained that certain groups of people tend to be more vulnerable to flu complications, including people who are immunocompromised or who have underlying chronic disease affecting the heart, lungs, and kidneys. 

Common flu symptoms include a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and overall extreme fatigue. However, Lokant said patients with the following “red flag” symptoms should seek medical care:

• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Persistent dizziness or confusion
• Severe weakness
• Inability to stay hydrated  
• For pediatric patients – rapid breathing, bluish skin, and extreme lethargy  

Those with the flu should hydrate, rest, and treat individual symptoms, but also monitor for complications. Antiviral medications like Tamiflu (oseltamivir) may help reduce the severity of the flu if taken within the first 48 hours. 

While it’s impossible to completely avoid illness, the spread of the flu can be managed by:

• Staying home when sick, unless red flag symptoms are present
• Washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Covering a cough or a sneeze
• Avoiding close contact with others who are ill 

Lokant said it’s not too late to get a flu shot, which helps reduce the risk of getting the flu, prevents severe illness, and protects vulnerable people who may not be able to get the vaccine. 

“As long as they’re offering influenza vaccines, I typically recommend people still try to get one if they haven’t yet,” he said, adding that it takes approximately two weeks after receiving the vaccine for the body to produce an effective immune response. 

Those travelling or planning to travel should consider visiting a travel clinic, which can help assess the destination, any necessary vaccines or boosters needed, and health risks associated with travel. Lokant recommended that travelers practice good hand hygiene, avoid raw or undercooked foods, and check the safety of the water for drinking and washing.  

“Viruses and different kinds of pathogens are out in our environment, so we definitely want to make sure that we’re not introducing it to ourselves,” Lokant said. “If you’re not having any of those red flag symptoms, stay home while you’re sick, because you don’t want to be spreading this around to others. 

“It’s more about making smart decisions.”