Although flu season typically runs from October to May, the Ohio Department of  Health is reporting a very high rate of flu. This season, the flu has made its mark with infection rates reaching levels not seen since the 2016-2017 season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ohio is classified as experiencing a high severity season overall for all age groups.

“The increased flu activity this season may be due to several factors, including lower immunity in the population, weather changes, and the strain of flu circulating this year. The Ohio Department of Health has reported a significant number of cases statewide, impacting schools and communities,” said Sarah McGraw Thimmes, Lancaster City School District Health Coordinator.

The Ohio Department of Health explains that there is no way to know how hard a flu virus will hit.

“It is usually spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing. Most people who get the flu usually recover in one to two weeks, but the flu can be deadly. An estimated 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu each year in the U.S. On average, it is estimated that there are more than 20,000 flu related deaths – many of which could have been prevented with a flu vaccine” (“Influenza”).

The Ohio Department of Health reports that flu cases were very high throughout the end of February, with 410 hospitalizations in Central Ohio. Eye of the Gale heard from about 40 staff members or students who said that they have had flu type symptoms recently.  There are several tell-tale symptoms that indicate a person could be suffering from the flu.  The ODH lists fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches.

LHS English teacher, Kelli Marvin said that her illness really lingered.

“Like three weeks. Ridiculous. Head congestion, headaches, relentless cough,” she said.

LHS senior Allison Buckley said after getting sick weeks ago, she still isn’t feeling well.

“Coughing, sore throat, yellow mucus . . . heavy coughing to the point I feel like I’m going to throw up and it hurts my head. At first it was just coughing but then my throat started hurting as well. It’s been like a month,” she said.

LHS junior Karlie Smith and senior Karrah Yerian described some of the symptoms that they experienced.

“I had a runny nose, feeling ill, throwing up, and couldn’t eat anything.  I was sick for roughly two  weeks,” said Smith.

“I slept for three days straight; couldn’t eat; couldn’t get out of bed; and was coughing. I was sick for a week and a half,” said Yerian.

Two LHS freshmen, Aiyana Adams and Andrea Koch described their symptoms.

“Sore throat, runny nose, headache, heavy eyes, and no energy,” said Adams.

“Throwing up, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and body pains,” said Koch.

LHS’s own medical assistant, Christy Phillips, who works with many sick students in the school clinic, was also down with flu type symptoms for weeks.

“Lots of congestion, cough, very thick mucus or phlegm that was choking at night and hard to cough up, tightness in my chest, some wheezing, sinus pressure, fatigue, headache.  I was ill for at least two weeks.  I  was on two rounds of Steroids (Prednisone) and one round of antibiotics (Zithromax) along with several Albuterol breathing treatments and an Albuterol Inhaler,” she said.

Lancaster resident Christana Hartley said she had a cough for about six weeks.

“It was the sickest I’ve been in a while. I had body aches, sore throat, and a cough that would not go away.  At first I used just Nyquil and Ibuprofen, but when that proved to not be effective, I went to the doctor and got steroids,” she said.

According to McGraw Thimmes, people can help prevent illness by washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when feeling unwell. However, one of the best ways to reduce the risk of getting the flu is to get a flu vaccine.

“If someone develops flu symptoms, it’s best for the individual to contact their medical provider who understands their health history and can provide more relevant information regarding the best treatment. Traditionally, flu treatment includes rest, staying hydrated, and taking fever-reducing medications as needed and as directed by your medical provider,” she said.