Got The Sniffles? Virginia Flu Season Is Here

Those with the sniffles or a bad cough, might want to make the trek to their local pharmacy. Health officials say Virginia has seen a rise in flu activity since mid-January.

“There has been a notable increase in the number of people visiting a doctor with influenza-like illness and in the number of specimens testing positive for influenza,” state health commissioner Karen Remley said in a statement. “A similar pattern is being seen across the Southeastern U.S.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 19 flu-related deaths in the United States as Jan. 29, and two have them been confirmed in Virginia. In the first week of February, 37 states, including Virginia and Maryland reported “widespread influenza,” according to the center.

Young children have been hit the hardest. According to data released by the Fairfax County Health department, close to eight percent of kids under the age of four in Virginia, who went to a doctor in the first week of February, exhibited flu-like illness. Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, sore throat, cough, headache, and aching muscles and joints.

Physicians and pharmacies are still issuing flu shots, and those who are not vaccinated still have time to avoid getting a case of end-of-winter flu.

The Virginia Health Department urges the elderly and those with underlying medical problems to contact their physicians for flu-related treatment.

Health officials say Virginia’s flu season typically begins in December and runs through March, but it’s at its highest in February.

More information about the flu vaccination can be found at www.vdh.virginia.gov.