The Health Service Executive has issued an urgent warning to the public as flu symptoms skyrocket
A persistent cough is one key sign of Covid to look for(Image: Getty)
Flu cases and hospitalisations are “rising rapidly” across Ireland, leading the HSE to issue an urgent plea for anyone exhibiting symptoms to remain at home to prevent further spread of the illness.
The Health Service Executive has reported that flu activity is at “high levels”, with both cases and hospitalisations seeing a significant increase over the past week.
Between 30 November and 6 December, there were 2,944 reported flu cases, marking a 49% rise from the previous week.
Visits to the Emergency Department due to flu surged by 55% to 1,622, while hospitalisations rose from 415 to 657, with the highest numbers seen in those under 15 and over 65 years of age.
The predominant flu virus this season is Influenza A(H3N2), which the HSE warns can be particularly severe for older adults, young children, and individuals with underlying health conditions.
This strain has been labelled as ‘super flu’ by some health experts. NHS national medical director Meghana Pandit stated: “With record demand for A&E and ambulances and an impending resident doctors’ strike, this unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year.”
In a recent update, the HSE strongly advised anyone feeling unwell to stay at home.
The advice states: “Stay at home if you are unwell. Your friends, families and colleagues would thank you for doing the right thing. If you have symptoms, please do not visit vulnerable relatives/friends/neighbours and particularly do not visit care homes or hospitals for social visits when ill. If you are unwell and need medications, try to send someone else to collect your medicines from the pharmacy.”
The HSE has identified the 10 primary flu symptoms to be aware of:
a sudden high temperature of 38 degrees or aboveaches and painsfeeling tired or exhausteda dry cougha sore throata headachedifficulty sleepingloss of appetitediarrhoea or tummy painfeeling sick and being sick
For children, flu symptoms present similarly, though they may additionally experience earache and seem less energetic than normal.
Regarding face coverings, the HSE stated: “There is no general call for public to use masks, but some people may wish to do so in crowded indoor spaces- e.g. on public transport and in busy public spaces (shops, churches/places of worship) especially if they are poorly ventilated. They may be the case especially for people who are vulnerable.
“If you are ill and need to attend for care you should wear a mask if you can. Hospitals and care settings may require you to use masks when visiting even if you are well – this will be guided by local risk assessment in the setting. When using a mask – use it properly and dispose of in waste bin.”
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The HSE is also emphasising that it’s not too late to receive a flu vaccination at participating GP surgeries, pharmacies and community health centres. According to HSE figures, 73% of intensive care unit admissions caused by flu this year involved patients who hadn’t received this season’s vaccine.
The flu vaccine is highly recommended and provided free of charge for several groups, including everyone aged 60 and over, individuals with underlying health conditions, and healthcare workers, which includes students in healthcare and social care.
All children between the ages of 2 to 17 are eligible, as well as pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy.
Carers and household contacts of those at higher risk, residents of nursing homes and long-stay facilities, and anyone who regularly comes into close contact with poultry, waterfowl, or pigs are also advised to get the vaccine.
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