FLU SEASON IS BACK IN SC. HERE ARE THE LATEST CASE NUMBERS AND THE 4 COUNTIES WHERE IT'S WORST
Flu season has officially begun in South Carolina and health officials report four counties are seeing higher activity than the rest of the state.
From the sniffles, sneezing, headaches and coughing, the influenza virus is once again making its seasonal rounds.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu season in the U.S. typically peaks between December and February - but cases are on the rise in parts of the Palmetto State.
Here's what South Carolinians should know about this year's flu season and how many cases have been recorded so far.
Current flu activity in SC
According to the latest report by the South Carolina Department of Public Health, lab-confirmed flu tests increased, with 50 reported the week of Oct. 26 to Nov. 1.
So far this season, there have been 173 lab-confirmed tests total.
The data shows that statewide, 2.7% of patient visits to healthcare providers were for flu-like illness, which is below the state's 3.7% baseline - signaling that flu-like activity overall was minimal, DPH says.
Even though activity was minimal, flu-associated hospitalizations saw an increase, with 12 hospitalizations reported by 55 hospitals from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1.
In total, there have been 59 influenza-associated hospitalizations this season.
No flu-related deaths have been reported in the Palmetto State for the current season.
While patient visits for the flu were below the state baseline in the latest report, four counties bucked the trend, with patient visits for the flu above the state baseline in the latest report.
These include:
- Greenville
- Newberry
- Berkeley
- Horry
How flu spreads
The CDC states that influenza viruses tend to spread by droplets made when folks infected either cough, sneeze or talk.
Those droplets can then land in the noses or mouths of those nearby and be inhaled into the lungs or end up on surfaces that people touch.
Symptoms & flu vaccines
Flu symptoms usually come on quickly, which include:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
To help prevent illness or other complications, the CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every season.
It is especially recommended for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, such as those with certain chronic health conditions, to be vaccinated each year.
Vaccines are available at offices of healthcare providers and many pharmacies, including national chains like CVS and Walgreens. You can find a nearby local pharmacy that provides vaccines at vaccinefinder.org.
Flu vaccines are also offered at SCDPH health department clinics and are available by appointment, which can be made online or by calling 855-472-3432.
The cost of a vaccine depends on your insurance coverage, although most health insurance plans cover the flu vaccine with no or low copay.
How to tell if I have the flu, a cold or COVID-19?
In addition to influenza viruses, several other respiratory viruses also spread during flu season and can cause similar symptoms.
These respiratory viruses range from the common cold, COVID-19, human parainfluenza viruses, human metapneumovirus, respiratory adenoviruses, and other human coronaviruses.
Many of these illnesses exhibit the same symptoms, meaning that for sicknesses like flu, cold and COVID-19, folks can't tell the difference.
The CDC states that testing is needed to confirm a diagnosis.
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