Arkansas Department of Health reports Arkansas has high influenza-like illness activity
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — In the latest viral respiratory disease update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported very high influenza-like illness activity in the state.
“I would say in the last two to three weeks we’ve seen a lot of Tamiflu prescriptions and other medicines like Xofluza. and people looking for over-the-counter medications to treat their symptoms,” Fayetteville pharmacist Julie Stewart said.
Stewart noticed the uptick in Northwest Arkansas and says it’s important to stay hydrated if you get sick.
“It’s easy to get dehydrated when your body is trying to fight off an infection,” said Stewart. “”If you are feverish and you’re sweating that’s going to use some of those fluids and you need to replace them.”
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Nearly 70 influenza-related deaths have been reported this flu season, including one pediatric death. The Health Department reports that 72% of those deaths were people who were not vaccinated.
“It helps prevent you from getting it or at least help you from getting as a severe case of any of those viruses,” said Stewart.
Regarding the age range the flu impacts, Stewart says it’s across the board.
“It’s all over the map. It’s from young children to old adults. School-aged kids of course spread everything so we do see a lot of that,” said Stewart.
According to ADH, there have been more than 1100 Arkansans hospitalized with flu-like illness this season. 146 of them have been children younger than 18 while 535 were people older than 65.
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