By Bryan Thompson, KPR
TOPEKA — Already this season, influenza and pneumonia have been a factor in 516 deaths in Kansas, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including one child.
The CDC reports that adults 65 years and older have had the highest rate of hospitalizations due to influenza or complications arising from influenza, with a rate of 51.8 per 100,000 population. The group with the second highest hospitalization rate is children age 4 or younger, with a rate of 16.5 per 100,000 population.
The CDC advises people with chronic conditions, pregnant women, senior citizens and young children to take antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu, if they become infected with the flu.
Dr. Mike Munger, at St. Luke’s South Primary Care in Overland Park, said the drugs can minimize the severity of the flu, especially when taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms.
“If you are developing fever, headache, a diffuse muscle ache, that should alert you it’s probably more than a cold,” he said. “Best to err on the side of caution, and contact your physician.”
Munger said many clinics are offering same-day appointments for those with flu symptoms.
“Especially at this time of year, many primary care physicians are increasing access for same-day visits because of the need to start the antivirals quickly,” he said. “Most of us, especially as we have relationships and know our patients, absolutely, if we identify someone who is at potential high risk, they get priority to be seen.”
Flu season in Kansas typically peaks in February. However, flu activity in Kansas is widespread, according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment spokeswoman Sara Belfry.
As of the week ending Dec. 27, Kansas clinics were reporting about 8.7 percent of visits were for influenza-like illness, she said.
It’s still not too late to get a flu shot, according to the CDC. Even though the vaccine is not a good match for one of the strains causing much of the illness this year, the CDC said vaccination may still prevent influenza illness from being as severe as it might be without the vaccine.
Bryan Thompson is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.