Dr. Virostko provides insight on the influenza season
Dr. Douglas Virostko, medical director at Coshocton Public Health, provided insight on the 2024-2025 influenza season.
“I have been a family physician in Coshocton for over 30 years, and I am the medical director at Coshocton Public Health,” he said. “This winter of 24-25, we are experiencing the worst influenza season we have had in over 10 years. We have seen multiple hospitalizations, as well as multiple people missing work and school. Recently I worked at a local walk in clinic and saw more patients in one day then I have ever in my career, the majority were acute flu type symptoms. It is always bothered me when people say ‘it is just the flu.’ The flu is not a ‘just.’ Classically, the flu starts with a sudden onset of fever chills muscle aches and profound fatigue. Usually there is headache, and a dry cough, and sometimes digestive symptoms. It can progress to pneumonia which can be fatal. People with chronic heart and lung conditions are at higher risk as are older people. However, no one is immune. Indeed, pregnant women who are young and healthy, are at higher risk of complications of the flu.”
What can we do about this problem?
If you experience symptoms of the flu, you should seek care through your primary physician or some sort of urgent care facility. Most places have the ability to test for flu and if you’re positive, flu is one of the few viral infections there is an oral medicine that can shorten and decrease severity of illness. It is important to get started in the first few days of the illness otherwise it will not be effective.
Of course, prevention is better than a cure. “We need to be diligent about measures to control infection,” Virostko said.
If you’re sick, stay home and do not spread it to other people. Make sure to use good hand washing whether you’re sick or not to avoid picking up infections of all sorts. If you’re coughing, cough into your elbow. If you are having symptoms, wearing a mask will cut the amount of virus your spreading.
“We ask people coming into the office or hospital who are experiencing symptoms like this to put on a mask to protect staff and other patients,” Virostko said. “And of course, it is still not too late to get a flu vaccine. I have been taking my flu vaccine diligently for 30 plus years, and I encourage my patients to do the same. Anyone age six months and up qualifies for flu vaccine. There is also a nasal vaccine for those who want to avoid injections though the number of patients who qualify for that is somewhat restricted. Inquire with your primary provider or any of our local pharmacies who can provide vaccinations.”
Category: People & Places
