Flu cases rise in SC, AnMed recommends precautions. What Anderson residents should know.
South Carolina and Louisiana showed the highest level of flu activity in the United States during the last week of December, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The number of cases of influenza and other respiratory illnesses is on the rise in the Anderson area.
During the first three weeks of December, AnMed saw an increase in flu and COVID inpatient admissions.
This is likely due to the holidays which are a time of increased travel, gatherings, and other social activities, and can lead to increased transmission of the flu and COVID.
As the situation progresses and its effects on the health system are analyzed, AnMed's infection-control experts are closely monitoring it.
SC flu cases rising: Prisma Health, Spartanburg Regional hospitals limit visitations
Currently, no policy change has been made at the hospital system. New recommendations have been issued to limit hospital visits, which reduces risks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
AnMed is asking residents to limit patient visitations and wear facemasks in health system facilities. If you are sick or experiencing respiratory illness symptoms such as fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose, or sore throat, you should not visit hospital patients.
About 8% of the United States population gets sick with the flu each year, according to a recent CDC study. The flu can affect anyone at any age. Getting sick can lead to many serious complications if you are 65 years or older, have chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, or are pregnant.
AnMed CareConnect clinics in Anderson or Clemson are available to residents who have suspected cases of influenza or other respiratory illnesses.
Steps Anderson residents can use to control infection spread
AnMed offers the following tips to help reduce the spread of the flu:
Make sure you get vaccinated. Residents can prevent diseases from spreading by vaccination.
If you're sick, stay at home and get medical attention if you need it.
To prevent the spread of illness, residents should wear a mask and keep a distance of at least six feet from others.
If you have a fever and it has subsided without the help of medicine, avoid contact with others and stay home for 24 hours.
When coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and throw it away.
If you don't have a tissue, use your sleeve or elbow. Afterward, wash or sanitize your hands.
Make sure you wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
If you don't have soap and water, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Flu cases rise in South Carolina. AnMed cautions hospital visitors
