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LOCAL12
by Liz Bonis

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The flu is now spreading rapidly in some parts of the Tri-State.

Infection control experts say, in some areas, the number of cases reported has jumped nearly 40 percent in just the last week. It got a later start this year, especially in the Northern Kentucky area. The number of cases made a sharp jump over the past week. The number of cases went from 271 to 372, an increase of 37 percent.

Hamilton County hasn't seen a big jump. But health officials did see a slight rise in hospital admissions for flu symptoms. Once it starts spreading, however, it's tough to stop it. That's because the virus is spread easily from person to person, mainly when people cough and sneeze.

Patty Burns is the manager of infection control at Saint Elizabeth Healthcare. She says the good news is that it's not too late to get the vaccine against the flu, which does appear to be a good match this year. The bad news, with exposure, the flu strikes suddenly.

"The flu doesn't usually just meander and you are fine one minute and the next minute you are on the couch. People say you are just wiped out for a good week," said Burns.

If people get sick suddenly, Tamiflu or another anti-viral medication can help reduce its common symptoms, which include serious congestion, body aches and a high fever. One of the main concerns about this flu is not just the flu itself, it's the complications from it. They've already seen admissions due to some things such as pneumonia, breathing problems and respiratory concerns.

Big news according to Burns is that this year's flu hit quickly. For weeks, it's been maybe a case or two getting admitted here but, "A couple weeks ago on a Monday, we had 23," she said.

The reason she said a couple weeks is that the stats are always a week or two behind. She doesn't know yet if Hamilton County even peaked. So far, cases are still climbing.