ELYRIA — Those hacking coughs and runny noses are particularly nasty this year, leading to more visits to area emergency rooms for local families, health officials say.

The Solomon Islands, Wisconsin and Malaysia flu viruses — named for the places they originated — are running wild, making winter miserable, say experts at the various health departments in the county.

And what’s to blame? Well, experts say it’s likely due to the fact that the winter — until now — hasn’t been that harsh.

“We’ve had a very mild winter so far. When you don’t have those prolonged periods of cold and deep freeze, the viruses don’t go as dormant,” said Kathy Loughrie, director of nursing for the Lorain City Health Department. “That means they’re much easier to catch.”

This year’s flu seems to last longer and have more painful symptoms, Loughrie said. Cases of pneumonia resulting from the flu have shot way up as well. In Elyria, there have been about 32 confirmed cases per week of the three flu strains since early December, said Linda Moore, director of nursing for the Elyria Health Department.

Doctors at EMH Regional Medical Center have run tests on 321 people with achy bones, coughs and fever, she said; but at least this year’s bug doesn’t generally cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Julie Foor, a communicable disease nurse for the Lorain County General Health District, said respiratory flu and gastrointestinal flu are on the rise. There were 25 confirmed cases in December and another 19 in January so far in the district, Foor said.

That shows a pretty steep jump from last year, she said, but so far health officials aren’t calling it an epidemic.

There’s not much that can be done to banish the flu once it’s settled in, Foor said, but you can help others avoid it. Her advice? Get a flu shot, wash your hands at every opportunity, cover your mouth, eat properly and exercise.

Contact Jason Hawk at 329-7148 or jhawk@chroniclet.com.

 

FLU SHOTS

There’s still a chance to prevent flu by getting this year’s flu shots during flu season, which typically runs from December through March, in Elyria and Lorain.

Elyria City Health District
202 Chestnut St.
General clinic: First and third Friday of the month from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Children’s clinic: First Wednesday of each month from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and third Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Elyria Public Library West River branch
1194 West River Road
Children’s clinic: Third Saturday of the month from 2:30 to 6 p.m.

Lorain Department of Health
1144 W. Erie Ave.
General clinic: First and third Thursday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m.

 

 

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