Flu cases on the rise on Delmarva

The number of people being treated for the flu has gone up recently on Delmarva. While the teams at TidalHealth and Your Doc’s In work hard to treat patients, members of the community can also do their part to keep others healthy.  

Angie Brittingham, DNP, MS, RN, CEN, CPEN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, chief nurse executive and vice president of patient care services for TidalHealth, said especially in the past several days, more people with respiratory-related illnesses have been coming in to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional and TidalHealth Nanticoke. Some patients who may have delayed treatment around the holidays then had to be admitted as their symptoms worsened, she said.  

“Our hospitals are seeing an increase in patient volume, and our teams are working tirelessly to provide high-quality care to everyone who walks through our doors,” Brittingham said. “We remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients, and we ask for the community's support in staying healthy — by getting vaccinated and taking precautions to prevent the spread of illness. Together, we can help ease the strain on our healthcare system and ensure that all patients receive the care they deserve." 

Other local hospitals are also experiencing an influx of patients, Brittingham said.  

So is Your Doc’s In, which has six locations across the Shore. Sarah Arnett, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, president of Your Doc’s In, said testing for flu at urgent care locations has increased by more than 200 percent within the last month.  

In addition to testing for the flu, Your Doc’s In has also had an increase in testing for strep throat and respiratory syncytial virus, Arnett said. While many associate RSV with babies, adults can also get the illness. It generally peaks in December and January, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Preventing illness

“Our community members are encouraged to take precautions, including getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and staying home when they are sick to reduce the likelihood that they will either become ill themselves or spread the flu or other infections like strep throat, RSV or COVID-19,” Arnett said.  

Starting to feel sick? Brittingham said feeling tired and achy are early signs of the flu, but additional signs can include chills, a fever over 100 F, a runny nose, sore throat and cough.  

Although flu season has already started, it’s not too late to be vaccinated, as flu season generally runs through about March. A flu vaccine doesn’t provide instant protection, but it should only take about two weeks for a vaccinated person to develop antibodies, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.