DENVER (KDVR) — Flu season is here and the number of hospitalizations from respiratory illnesses has nearly doubled since late December.
“We took a big jump after Dec. 21, and it’s still going up,” said Dr. Ned Calonge, chief medical officer at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
According to the last update from CDPHE on Jan. 4, there were 278 influenza hospitalizations in the state. That’s up from 246 the week before and 140 on Dec. 21.
“It’s severe enough to bring people into the hospital,” Dr. Calonge said.
While this seems to be a typical season so far, it is important to raise awareness. There are two “A” strains circulating in the state right now.
Meredith Vanley was diagnosed with influenza A in December.
“It was terrible, I had a pretty high fever,” Vanley said. “My body ached terribly. I was coughing.”
The Evergreen resident said she was later diagnosed with walking pneumonia as well and missed two weeks of work.
“I’m still recovering from that,” she said.
Calonge said that when someone tests positive, they should stay home, hydrate, take fever-reducing medications and ask their provider about Tamiflu.
“That can shorten the duration of flu symptoms by about a couple of days, but you need to start Tamiflu early,” he said.
To protect yourself, Calonge says to wash your hands regularly, take normal precautions and remember it’s not too late to get the flu vaccine.
