Ohio -- With the winter season comes seasonal influenza, better known as the flu and according to the Ohio Department of Health, over the past 5 years, January has seen the most flu-related hospitalizations. This years flu in Ohio has seen a jump just in recent weeks. In the month of December alone, hospitalizations from the flu went from the 40's to over 150.
- Women who are pregnant and children under 5 are at risk
- People who are 65 or older or with chronic illness should also get the shot
- Health care professionals and those living in long term care facilities are also at risk
The ODH reported 45 flu related hospitalizations in the first week of December and just a few weeks later, that number jumped to 166. Northeast Ohio saw the highest activity at the end of last month—45 hospitalizations, followed by East Central Ohio with 33 cases.
A huge spike in visits and based on the ODH'S research of the previous five years, those numbers are only expected to increase in January before coming down slightly in February with another small spike heading into March before we can expect to see them drop significantly in May.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest data also shows that influenza activity in Ohio is now considered regional, along with neighboring states Michigan and West Virginia. The flu is now considered widespread in Indiana, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
According to the CDC, 80 thousand people died from the flu last year alone---many of which could have been prevented with a flu vaccine.
Even with a flu shot though you are still susceptible to catching the contagious germs...experts say wash your hands, get plenty of rest, eat right and keep your hands away from your face as to not spread germs.