COLUMBUS: State officials Wednesday confirmed what others may have already witnessed this month at work, at home and in schools: Flu season is here.
The Ohio Department of Health said an influenza-like illness is now widespread.
In the first week of January, there were 287 new confirmed flu-associated hospitalizations in Ohio compared with 157 the week before. There have been 654 total flu-associated hospitalizations since flu season began in October.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity is on the rise across the country, and this trend is expected to continue for at least several more weeks. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue.
Last year’s flu season started a bit later in Ohio, and flu-associated hospitalizations did not peak until early March. There were 3,691 total flu-associated hospitalizations during the 2015-2016 flu season.
Flu vaccines generally offer the best protection against illness, officials said, but people can also protect themselves by taking these steps:
• Wash hands frequently or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, or cough or sneeze into elbows.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.