Source: Connecticut Department of Health
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
256 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
256 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
367 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
367 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
229 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
229 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
58 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
58 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
38 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
38 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
31 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
31 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
23 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
23 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
13 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
13 cases of the flu from August 2017 to January 2018
Source: Connecticut Department of Health
1.
Make sure you get a good night's sleep. It's crucial for staying healthy and fighting off illness.
1.
Make sure you get a good night's sleep. It's crucial for staying healthy and fighting off illness.
According to the CDC there is "no scientific evidence" to support the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies. Don't even bother wasting your money on them.
According to the CDC there is "no scientific evidence" to support the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies. Don't even bother wasting your money on them.
One of the easiest things you can do to ward off germs is to wash your hands often with soap and water. If those are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer will do.
One of the easiest things you can do to ward off germs is to wash your hands often with soap and water. If those are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer will do.
The influenza virus can be killed by high heat (over 167 degrees Fahrenheit), as well as by hydrogen peroxide, chlorine and detergents. So keep things clean and freshly washed.
The influenza virus can be killed by high heat (over 167 degrees Fahrenheit), as well as by hydrogen peroxide, chlorine and detergents. So keep things clean and freshly washed.
Another stay healthy tip is to drink plenty of water, both when you're healthy and when you're sick.
Another stay healthy tip is to drink plenty of water, both when you're healthy and when you're sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. Germs are often spread via contact with these areas.
Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. Germs are often spread via contact with these areas.
If you or a family member has a fever, stay home! The CDC recommends you stay at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone.
If you or a family member has a fever, stay home! The CDC recommends you stay at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone.
Avoid close contact with sick people — the flu is most commonly spread through droplets from coughing and sneezing.
Avoid close contact with sick people — the flu is most commonly spread through droplets from coughing and sneezing.
During flu season, be sure to clean oft-touched objects like doorknobs, keyboards and phones. Flu germs can linger on hard surfaces such as these for two to eight hours.
During flu season, be sure to clean oft-touched objects like doorknobs, keyboards and phones. Flu germs can linger on hard surfaces such as these for two to eight hours.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and make sure you throw your used tissues in the trash.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and make sure you throw your used tissues in the trash.
NORWALK — Connecticut Department of Public Health data released Thursday shows the percentage of outpatients with influenza-like illness outstrips that of previous years.
Between Jan. 14 and 20, 6 percent of outpatients in the state showed influenza-like symptoms, the highest proportion the department has reported in the past two years and over double the rate this time last year.
The percentage of emergency department visits that are for fever or the flu also jumped this week from 7.3 percent to nearly 10 percent.
However, health officials say that the unusual high rates of flu-like symptoms this time of year could be because the peak of flu season has arrived earlier than usual.
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“The reason why Influenza-like symptoms are up compared to the last two years may be because this year’s flu season started early,” a state Department of Public Health spokesman noted in an email.
In Connecticut, as in every state in the country except for Hawaii, influenza is widespread, meaning that it is present in more than half of the regions in the state monitored by the Department of Public Health.
As of Jan. 20, 32 deaths in Connecticut were flu-related. Most impacted those over 65, but people of all ages have been affected. Two people ages 50 through 64, one person aged 25 through 49 and one child were impacted. Earlier this month, a 10-year-old New Canaan boy died of complications linked to influenza type B.
At the Norwalk Health Department, volunteers in yellow vests and signs reading “FLU SHOTS TODAY” pointed people toward the health department lobby, where multiple lines were set up to check people in for their shots. Donna Schlegel, volunteer coordinator for the emergency response team, had emailed emergency responders to help out with the flu clinic, anticipating high demand.
“We’re getting a lot of phone calls and a lot of inquiries,” said Theresa Argondezzi, health educator at the department. “We know folks are concerned.”
She said the department had a couple hundred shots available and specifically scheduled the flu clinic in the late afternoon so people could come after school or work.
A number of people in the waiting room said they had come to the Health Department because they had heard other locations had run low on shots.
“I know a number of places are out — CVS and Walgreens — so that’s a reason why when we saw it on the front page of The Hour, we thought perfect, we’ll go,” said Gary Rogalski of Norwalk, who was getting a shot with his son.
“I called my doctor the other day, and they said they didn’t have it,” Mayra Chavez said of the shots. She had heard that the department was having a flu clinic from Norwalk High School, where she is a library assistant. “I was very excited and happy to hear that,” she said.
DPH strongly encourages all Connecticut residents over 6 months old to get a flu shot. Children between 6 months and 18 years of age can receive free shots through the Connecticut Vaccine Program, as can adults with health insurance.
“For those Connecticut residents who haven’t yet received a flu shot, we hope they will take advantage of these flu clinics,” said DPH Commissioner Raul Pino. “It is not too late to get protection from the flu this season.”
The next Norwalk Health Department clinic is 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Reporting contributed by Robert Koch.
rschuetz@hearstmediact.com; @raschuetz