FORT WASHINGTON, Md. (DC News Now) — A recent uptick in flu cases around the DMV has hospitals on alert.
Dr. Willam Parham said staff at Adventist Healthcare Fort Washington Medical Center have been busy.
“This is very unusual we are actually in our second spike of flu,” Parham said. “As many as 10 patients per week in the past several weeks have been coming to the Emergency room to get treated for the flu.
He said it’s “concerning.”
“Influenza is a serious disease. It can be sniffles and a cough and feel bad but I have two patients in the intensive care unit who are critically ill with the flu so it can be a big deal,” Parham said.
Parham told DC News Now that it is very unusual to have an uptick in flu cases during February because flu season is typically from December to January.
“What I recommend is trying to avoid the symptoms by wearing a mask and washing hands when at a family gathering,” he said. “The flu is passed from person to person by sneezing or coughing and can be deadly.”
Parham encourages people to get the flu vaccine and take precautions. Anyone who has symptoms should visit a doctor as soon as possible.
