Hawaii Flu Cases on the Rise
HONOLULU (KHON) – As we hit the middle of Hawaii’s typical flu season, cases are on the rise.
Dr. Sarah Park, Director of the state Department of Health says she has seen reports of flu cases steadily rising.
Dr. James Ireland is assistant clinical professor at the John A. Burns School of Medicine but also has a private practice and says, “last week I saw one or two cases in the whole week, today I saw four patients and one of them was sick enough he had to be hospitalized, and so, it’s here.”
The largest percentage of Hawaii residents diagnosed with the flu during a recent week, was children from five years old to 24-year-olds.
Adults from 25 to 44 and from 45 to 64 made up the next-largest groups.
The most vulnerable age groups, represent the smallest percentage of cases — those are, infants and kupuna.
Babies’ immune systems are still developing — and many kupuna have aging immune systems, or have additional health issues that compromise their ability to fight the flu.
When it comes to avoiding the flu, healthcare experts still believe in the age-old truism: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
“You know it’s never too late, and so I suggest, for people who haven’t been vaccinated, go get a vaccination. If your provider is out of vaccines, look around. A lot of the pharmacies offer vaccines year-round, that would be a great place to get one.”
If you already have symptoms, both doctors Park and Ireland suggest you get checked out by a medical professional.
Ireland says, “other serious bacterial illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis can also cause a fever and chills and so that’s why it’s important to get checked out and not just assume it’s the flu.”
Dr. Park says it’s not a good idea to self-diagnose by looking up information online.
Dr. Ireland says if you DO have the flu, the antiviral treatment will be most effective within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
“It just highlights that the best method of prevention is being vaccinated, but please don’t forget to wash your hands, if you do get sick, to cover your cough or sneeze, so we don’t spread it around to everyone and if you are sick please keep your germs at home and don’t spread it out you know, to the community.”
Doctors Park and Ireland say anyone without a personal doctor should look at going to a local pharmacy, neighborhood or community clinic to get vaccinated at low-cost.
