South Carolina – As holiday travel picks up and a fast-spreading flu strain spreads over the area, public health officials in South Carolina and Georgia are becoming increasingly concerned.
Hospitals in both states are seeing more patients because of a more aggressive strain of Influenza A. This puts more stress on the healthcare system at a time when families are getting together and airports and roadways are busy for Christmas and New Year.
Doctors in South Carolina say that Influenza A is the most common virus this season. Health experts believe that case counts are high enough to justify greater attention, especially among senior citizens, young children, and people with underlying medical issues. However, precise hospitalization figures have not been disclosed statewide.
Emergency rooms are seeing a consistent stream of patients with sudden, severe symptoms. This is in line with what doctors say is a stronger strain of the virus.
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Doctors in the state say they have particular concerns about how quickly the illness spreads. Patients are coming in with high fevers, muscular aches, fatigue, and breathing problems that get worse quickly.
Public health officials are warning that close contact and indoor parties during the holidays could speed up the spread of the virus if people don’t take precautions.
That fear gets even worse just across the border in Georgia, where flu activity is already at a “high” level. According to federal data, flu cases across the country spiked by about 15% in early December. However, Georgia’s numbers are notable for both their speed and severity.
More than 150 people in the metro Atlanta area went to the hospital because of the flu in just one week. The state has documented more than 500 hospitalizations and a dozen deaths due to the virus since the start of the flu season.
Medical specialists say that a new strain of Influenza A called subclade K is the main reason for the rise. The strain, according to health officials, is very contagious and able to make people very sick very quickly. It has made the seasonal response more difficult because it came out after this year’s flu vaccination was made, which means that the shot doesn’t match the virus as well.
Even if the vaccines don’t match up, health officials in both states continue advising people to be vaccinated. Experts stress that even partial protection can be very important because it lowers the risk of getting very sick, going to the hospital, or dying. The vaccine may not completely stop infection from subclade K, but it does prepare the immune system to fight back better.
Doctors are also advising patients that their therapy alternatives are still working. Antiviral drugs that are often given for the flu still work against this strain, especially if you take them early.
Doctors further note that individuals shouldn’t try to “wait it out” at home if their symptoms get worse. People with chronic health problems, weak immune systems, or trouble breathing need to get medical help immediately.
“We think this subclade K virus is evading population immunity, meaning more people are susceptible to infection. It has mutations that may allow it to evade some but not all of the Influenza vaccine induced protection,” Professor Andrew Pekosz from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said.
The timing of the outbreak makes things even more worrisome. With millions of people traveling for the holidays, the danger of getting sick goes up at airports, on public transportation, and at family gatherings.
Health professionals argue that even small steps might potentially have a big effect. Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands often, and making sure there is excellent air flow in your home remain important things to take to minimize the spread.
Leaders in public health in South Carolina and Georgia are cautioning everyone to be careful while they celebrate. Staying home while you’re sick, getting care right away, and taking steps to avoid getting sick could help keep the flu from getting worse as the holidays go on.
