NORTH CAROLINA, USA — With the holidays now behind us, hospitals across the Carolinas are feeling the weight of those celebratory gatherings. As we are approaching the peak of winter respiratory virus season there is a growing concern for the uptick in flu cases.
Doctors say it is very important that people take prevention seriously especially kids and the elderly who are more at risk of getting severely sick or even dying from these viruses.
“Flu, RSV, and COVID continue to be issues that we are concerned about in public health,” said Dr. Martha Buchanan, Lead Medical Consultant with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
According to the CDC, both North Carolina and South Carolina are in the very high category of infection for influenza.
“For the past few weeks, South Carolina has been number one or two in the number of flu cases reported by the CDC and will continue to be in that range. Other states are also seeing increases,” said Buchanan.
Flu-related deaths have reached 52 in North Carolina while South Carolina reports 34 thus far this season.
“Sadly, we continue to see flu-related deaths here in our state, reminding us that flu is not to be taken lightly,” said Buchanan.
Some people are more at risk of getting seriously sick than others.
“The folks most likely to have complications from any of these illnesses are those who are very young, very old, or people with chronic medical conditions are very likely to have complications,” said Buchanan. "But even healthy people can have complications."
In North Carolina, respiratory viruses are sending more people to the hospital. 923 patients were admitted for COVID-19, up from 710 the previous week. 1,055 people were admitted with the flu, up from 722 the week before.
“It is a very common thing to have this surge, or this increase in cases after the holidays,” said Atrium Health Internal Medicine Specialty Medical Director Dr. Daniel Davis. “The degree of it is worse this year than last year.”
Several hospitals have visitor restrictions in place. Atrium Health is also expanding telehealth appointments as more people get sick.
“Frequently, these illnesses can be managed with a video visit. The advice and the medications that need to be prescribed can be prescribed without you having to physically come into the office,” said Davis.
He adds hospitals are pretty full and only people who are seriously sick should go to ER.
“We don't want to pack our emergency rooms with people that don't have life-threatening illnesses, because it just results in delays in your treatment, but also delays in treatments for those patients that do have those most severe illnesses that need to be seen right away," he said.
Health officials say vaccination is your best defense against these viruses.
“It's never too late to get your flu shot. It's never too late to get your updated COVID vaccine,” said Davis. “The majority of people who've had severe illness who've ended up in the hospital or who actually died from flu this year had been unvaccinated.”
“Get your vaccine if you're eligible. Wash your hands regularly, cover your cough, stay home if you're sick,” said Buchanan.
Doctors say if you have a fever that does not come down after taking over-the-counter medication, you’re having a hard time breathing, or you're wheezing, then head to the emergency room.
If you are concerned about getting sick and you will be around other people, doctors say to consider wearing a mask.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.