The Alabama Department of Public Health reported a sharp increase in flu cases, with the percentage of residents reporting respiratory virus symptoms who were diagnosed with influenza jumping from just above 1% on December 6 to nearly 10% by December 27. The baseline for influenza-like activity in Alabama is about 3%; the state is currently reporting roughly 8%.
Dr. Karen Landers, chief medical officer for ADPH, described conditions contributing to transmission. “People are gathering together, they’re indoors more, they’re traveling more, which means they may be coming from different parts of the state, different parts of the nation, and even different parts of the world. All of those are opportunities for respiratory viruses to be introduced into the environment.” ADPH officials stressed that the influenza season in Alabama runs through May and urged residents to take precautions.
Prevention Measures
ADPH strongly urges annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older and recommends other respiratory virus vaccines as appropriate based on guidance from health care providers. People can protect others by staying home when sick and by covering coughs and sneezes. Dr. Landers recommends coughing into a sleeve or elbow rather than into a hand.
Health officials also recommend frequent handwashing or using hand sanitizer, keeping hands away from the face and, if someone must go out while sick, wearing a mask to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. “I strongly urge people to get the flu vaccine every year and other appropriate respiratory virus vaccines as recommended by their health care providers,” Dr. Landers said. She also advised people to avoid close contact with those most vulnerable to severe illness, including elderly individuals and people with chronic respiratory conditions.
Symptoms of influenza can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. Children sometimes experience vomiting or diarrhea. Anyone with severe symptoms or difficulty breathing should seek immediate medical attention. Dr. Landers advised people to consult their health care provider before going to the emergency room when possible to help keep emergency departments available for those in crisis.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://us.headtopics.com/news/adph-shares-how-to-protect-yourself-and-others-from-the-flu-77956092