TOLEDO (WTOL) - The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is reporting an increase in flu activity this season.
Lucas County has 53 confirmed flu-related hospitalizations since last October.
The health department says the increase is gradual, but encourages everyone to get an annual flu vaccine to protect against the flu.
“Everyone older than six months of age, and able to be vaccinated, should get a flu shot. If you have not yet been vaccinated this year, it’s not too late. When you get vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself, you are also protecting the people you love,” said health commissioner Eric Zgodzinksi.
The health department offers the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine to protect you from four different flu viruses, as well as a high-dose for those 65 and old.
Other ways to protect against the flu are:
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Limit contact with others as much as possible if you are sick
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, unless you are going to get medical care or other necessities. The health department says your fever should be gone within 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to reduce the spread of germs.
- Clean disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
The Fulton County Health Department also sent out this tweet to remind everyone that flu season is in full swing:
