NEENAH, Wis — ThedaCare has announced new, temporary visitor restrictions because of the flu virus running its course across Wisconsin. ThedaCare representatives saying children under the age of twelve cannot visit hospital patients right now as part of an effort to prevent the spread of the flu. Tonight NBC26 looks into the spike in flu cases hospitals are experiencing across the state.
Since the flu season began back in October, there have already been 459 hospitalizations and eleven deaths here in Wisconsin related to the virus. It seems everyone knows someone at this point, who's gotten the bug.
"One of my employees, his wife, was sick. And several family members were sick recently. So it is definitely something that's going around," says Alex Tapplin of Neenah.
And while the first cases of the flu started being reported in the fall, right now doctors say we're in the heart of the flu season.
"The number of hospitalizations and the number of office visits has dramatically picked up in the last two weeks," says Dr. David Brooks the Medical Director of Infectious Disease at ThedaCare.
Doctor Brooks says you'll know you have the flu, when the tell tale symptoms kick in.
"Anyone with persistent fevers over 101, has difficulty breathing or chest pain, increasing weakness, or not able to eat and drink," adds Dr. Brooks.
Right now compared to last year at this time there is already about three times the amount of influenza cases being reported. But, some local doctors say that might not be as alarming as it seems.
"At this point I think it's too soon to say compared to last year. It's still very early, but the number of cases has really gone up," says Dr. Brooks.
The number one thing doctors recommend doing to prevent the flu, is getting a flu shot. It’s something that medical professionals will tell you can still make a difference, even if you get the flu shot this late in the season.
