Flu cases surge across the area as health officials urge vaccinations<\/a><\/p>\n“I work in a nursing home. There’s a lot of people who have been sick lately. A lot of flu,” said Alex Schmidt of Cherry Hill, New Jersey.<\/p>\n
Schools are also dealing with the impact of seasonal illness.<\/p>\n
“Working at an elementary school in Haddonfield, it’s really impacted our elementary schools, with people traveling,” said Amy Fanrak of Pennsauken, New Jersey.<\/p>\n
As cold and flu season peaks, many residents say they are taking extra precautions to avoid getting sick or spreading illness.<\/p>\n
“We’ve just been trying to stay away from folks, not in any restaurants or anything like that. We’ve also gotten the flu shot,” said Molly Kaminski, with her infant daughter Lucy in tow.<\/p>\n
Others say they are relying on preventive measures in daily life.<\/p>\n
“I mask up, take my Vitamin C, try to stay active, because that helps too,” Schmidt said.<\/p>\n
New Jersey is one of the states listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as having “very high” flu activity.<\/p>\n
With multiple viruses circulating, doctors say it can be difficult to determine which illness someone has based on symptoms alone.<\/p>\n
Many people are turning to combination over-the-counter tests that detect flu A, flu B and COVID.<\/p>\n
Dr. Topiel said positive results from those tests are generally reliable, but negative results should be interpreted with caution.<\/p>\n
“The problem is if the tests are negative, it really doesn’t rule out COVID, it doesn’t rule out influenza,” Topiel said. “It might mean there’s a low viral level, but it still might cause significant symptoms. Or it may just be we’re hitting it at the wrong time.”<\/p>\n
Health experts recommend staying home when experiencing symptoms that could easily spread to others.<\/p>\n
“If you have fever, significant cough, a lot of mucus production, you’re really risking things of transmitting to others,” Topiel said.<\/p>\n
Doctors say certain symptoms should prompt immediate medical attention. Wheezing, shortness of breath or chest pain are signs to go to the hospital.<\/p>\n
People with a history of heart problems are also advised to check in with their doctor.<\/p>\n
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