Published: Wednesday, February 09, 2011, 11:00 PM     Updated: Thursday, February 10, 2011, 9:37 AM Associated PressDoctors say it isn’t too late to get a flu shot. Cases of flu are on the rise in Northeast Ohio.if you have a nasty cough, aching joints and fever, do us all a favor and stay home.

The highly contagious flu is on the rise.

Over the last three weeks, more and more people in Ohio have been reporting flu symptoms, and hospital admissions are increasing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that flu is now widespread in Ohio and 29 other states.

But unlike last year’s pandemic, health experts say this flu season appears to be nothing out of the ordinary.

February is the most common time of the year for people to contract the flu, said Dr. Jennifer Hanrahan, infectious-disease specialist at MetroHealth Medical Center.

“We’re seeing a ton of people complaining of flu symptoms,” said Emma Groethe nurse practitioner and manager of operations at Cleveland-area Minute Clinics.

Cuyahoga County saw a doubling in flu cases last week, said Richard Stacklin, a researcher with the county Board of Health. There were 17 cases between Jan. 30 and Feb. 5, compared with seven cases the week before.

Most emergency room cases involved children under age 4 and adults between 25 and 49, Stacklin said.

Protecting yourself from the flu

Flu season usually peaks in February, but the virus can linger and hit about 20 percent of its victims in March or April.

Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, muscle pain, headaches, chills, sore throat and fatigue. Some people experience diarrhea and vomiting. Deaths often are caused by complications such as pneumonia. Doctors say there usually is no fever connected with a cold.

Here are some tips to help you get through the season.

• Get a flu shot. Doctors say this is the best way to protect yourself.
• Practice good health habits such as washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your face because germs often are spread that way.
• If you are sick, stay at home especially if you work with children or the elderly. The majority of flu illness can be treated at home, but if you have sever symptoms, call your doctor.
• Drink plenty of clear fluids such as broth, water or beverages with electrolytes to prevent dehydration.
• Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers who have the flu. Aspirin can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye Syndrome.
• Stay home for 24 hours after the fever is gone without using fever-reducing medication to make sure you are over the virus.

The state, which only reports people hospitalized for flu-related symptoms, also showed an increase in flu cases.

Jennifer House of the Ohio Department of Health said 210 flu-related admissions were reported between Jan. 23 and Feb. 5, with most cases in the Columbus area.

Since the beginning of flu season in October, Ohio has had 700 hospitalizations, she said.

Last season, there were 3,257 confirmed flu-related hospitalizations in Ohio, House said, and 15 pediatric deaths. “We try not to compare the numbers because during last year’s pandemic with the H1N1 virus, the flu spiked earlier.”

The World Health Organization declared an end to the pandemic this past fall.

The flu vaccine being given this year contains protection for the H1N1 virus as well Type a and Type B.

Tests show that people in Northeast Ohio are mostly coming down with Type a virus, health officials said.

Hanrahan said there likely are more cases of the flu going around because many patients are treated without being tested and others stay home to recover.

And although there have been no deaths reported in Ohio so far, flu symptoms should be taken seriously.

Hanrahan said people with medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes or heart, lung and kidney diseases should seek medical treatment within 48 hours of the first signs of flu symptoms. Pregnant women especially should get immediate treatment. Antiviral medications often are given in these cases.

Sick adults and children should stay home from work and school, Goethe said, because the flu can easily be spread by a cough or sneeze. Teachers and caregivers also should consider recovering fully before going back to work.

MetroHealth is asking people with respiratory symptoms or fever not to visit patients.

If you’ve managed to avoid the fever and fatigue, here’s some advice from Hanrahan:

“It’s not too late to get a flu shot,” she said. “The season could last another six weeks.” and do it now, she added, because protection from the vaccine takes about two weeks to kick in.