Emergency room visits for respiratory illnesses spike 12% in one week as flu season hits Alabama
It’s flu season in Alabama, and cases are rising.Alabama’s Public Health Department reports on contagious respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, influenza and RSV online.Video above: Keep The Germs and Bugs Away From All of Your Holiday Gatherings With These TipsThis viral respiratory diseases chart is updated weekly, and shows a high uptick in the flu for Alabama throughout November, with a spike at the beginning of December that overtakes COVID-19 in the state.It is of note that these are the reported numbers in the state. There are more than the ones that have been reported for all three of the illnesses tracked.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a map of the United States, showing that Alabama is in the “moderate” category, along with a lot of the southern states. SymptomsThe CDC discusses symptoms including:feverchillscoughsore throatrunny/stuffy nosebody achesheadachesfatiguestomach issuesMost people recover in a few days to two weeks, but some people experience complications like pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. Other complications include sinus and ear infections.If you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, worsening symptoms, severe weakness, dehydration, or other concerning symptoms, you should contact your medical provider and get medical care right away.Click here for steps to take if you get sick with the flu.PreventionThe CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine every year to help reduce the risk of the flu, especially for people who are high risk.You should wash your hands and avoid contact with your face.
It’s flu season in Alabama, and cases are rising.
Alabama’s Public Health Department reports on contagious respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, influenza and RSV online.
Video above: Keep The Germs and Bugs Away From All of Your Holiday Gatherings With These Tips
This viral respiratory diseases chart is updated weekly, and shows a high uptick in the flu for Alabama throughout November, with a spike at the beginning of December that overtakes COVID-19 in the state.
It is of note that these are the reported numbers in the state. There are more than the ones that have been reported for all three of the illnesses tracked.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a map of the United States, showing that Alabama is in the “moderate” category, along with a lot of the southern states.
Symptoms
The CDC discusses symptoms including:
- fever
- chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny/stuffy nose
- body aches
- headaches
- fatigue
- stomach issues
Most people recover in a few days to two weeks, but some people experience complications like pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. Other complications include sinus and ear infections.
If you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, worsening symptoms, severe weakness, dehydration, or other concerning symptoms, you should contact your medical provider and get medical care right away.
Click here for steps to take if you get sick with the flu.
Prevention
The CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine every year to help reduce the risk of the flu, especially for people who are high risk.
You should wash your hands and avoid contact with your face.
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