From East Pierce Fire and Rescue:

The flu bug has hit Washington State and hit it hard.

Some of the first to see the influx are the firefighter-paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who transport ill patients to area hospitals. Over the past two weeks, Pierce County hospitals are also reporting an increase in the number of patients they are treating with the flu.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department reports that, as of Jan. 23, the moderate influenza activity levels are already challenging area hospitals.

The late start isn’t good news for local residents.

“Washington only recently began to see a significant uptick in flu patient numbers, which could mean that we’ll continue to see more cases, even after the numbers start to diminish elsewhere.” says East Pierce Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Russ McCallion.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), between five and 20 percent of the U.S. population develops influenza annually, leading to more than 200,000 hospitalizations from related complications. Typically, children and seniors are impacted the most.

So far this flu season, there have been 12 laboratory-confirmed influenza deaths in the state, including two in Pierce County. King County has reported over 30 outbreaks of influenza in long-term care centers that resulted in several deaths.

In addition to the flu virus, there are also serious noroviruses and rotoviruses circulating, which generally cause more nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This is in contrast to the flu which typically involves coughing, fever, body aches, and only sometimes nausea and vomiting.

“So if you are getting sick—and you got the flu vaccine—it may not be the flu,” McCallion says.

In most healthy people, the flu will go away in five to seven days, although fatigue can last much longer. However, in some cases, the flu can be a serious health threat. Call 911 if:

• A baby younger than three months has a high fever or .a fever that lasts more than 5 days.

• You are having trouble breathing or feel very short of breath.

• You have a severe headache or stiff neck and are confused or having trouble staying awake.

• You are experiencing chest pains.

• You show signs of dehydration (very dry mouth or no urine in more than 8 hours).

Health officials say that people in high-risk groups — children under five, pregnant women and people under 65 who have a chronic medical condition — should seek treatment right away if they have symptoms.

Avoiding the flu

Vaccination continues to remain the cornerstone of preventing influenza, a contagious respiratory disease caused by different influenza viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs. The flu vaccine has been rated as “good” this year by the CDC, with a 62 percent effectiveness rating.

According to Director of the Federal Drug Administration’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Karen Midthun, M.D., it’s especially important to get vaccinated this year because two of the three virus strains used in this season’s influenza vaccines differ from the strains included in last year’s vaccines.

“Vaccinated patients may still get the flu—but usually have less serious symptoms,” McCallion says.  “Although flu vaccines are still available, remember that it takes two full weeks to provide maximum protection.”

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good habits like covering a cough and frequent hand washing can help stop the spread of germs. Here are a few other tips for avoiding the flu:

• Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

• Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick, if possible. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

• Practice other good health habits. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

For more information, go to Flu.gov.