Flu 'widespread' in Columbus, throughout state
Columbus Community Hospital said they're seeing a lot of people coming in with fevers, chills and body aches.<br/>
By News Channel NebraskaCOLUMBUS - Columbus Community Hospital said they're seeing a lot of people coming in with fevers, chills and body aches.
“This is the thing that humbles young, healthy people," said Infection Control Committee liaison Dr. Daniel Rosenquist. "You think that you’re invincible and this thing makes you that sick; three to five, seven days. Nobody thought they would be in bed for that long. Many people are too sick to feel like they can get out and come to us.”
The Walgreens Flu Index ranks the Omaha area as having the highest flu activity in the country.
Dr. Rosenquist said Columbus isn’t faring any better.
“I can’t believe what I’m seeing in Columbus, that our per capita numbers are any less than what Omaha’s seeing," he said. "It’s amazing.”
In fact, the flu activity in Columbus is so prominent, CCH issued an alert to visitors last week to help prevent spreading the flu within the hospital.
“We really just ask that people use their very best common sense to say that ‘if I’m going to visit someone who’s sick and I’m not feeling well, we certainly don’t want to make them sicker,’" Quality and Compliance director Nicole Blaser said. "So don’t come here if you’re feeling ill.”
They said they want to protect their patients, especially infants, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.
Dr. Rosenquist said they're seeing a lot of cases with influenza A strains and some type B. He said even though this year's vaccine included both, you can still catch the flu if you got the shot, but that it hopefully at least lessens the symptoms.
“Our immune system will recognize that strain and then develop the appropriate antibody response to it,” he said.
According to the CDC, the flu is widespread in Nebraska.
Dr. Rosenquist recommends you get the shot along with washing your hands, disinfecting surfaces and eating a healthy diet.
If you would like more tips on how to protect yourself and prevent the spread of flu, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent-flu.htm