HJBR Jan/Feb 2020

50 JAN / FEB 2020 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE COLUMN NURSING Seasonal influenza (flu) is most common in the United States in the fall and winter, usually beginning in October and peaking between December and February, although it can still be experienced as late as May. Currently, Louisiana has the highest influenza rates in the United States, as reported on November 25, 2019 1 , and has been leading the country in ILI (influen- za-like illnesses) since early in the fall. High flu activity has also been reported in Puerto Rico, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, and Texas. 2 Seasonal Flu: Are We Ready? SYMPTOMS Influenza is a highly contagious respira- tory illness caused by viruses. Influenza in Louisiana is being driven mostly by influ- enza B viruses that predominate through- out the southern United States. Other ar- eas of the country are mostly affected by influenza A viruses. Currently, school-aged children have been the highest population reported to be affected by the flu. Symp- toms come on suddenly and include: • Fever and chills (note that not everyone who contracts flu will have fever); • Sore throat • Runny or stuffy nose • Cough • Headaches • Muscle aches • Fatigue • Vomiting and diarrhea (especially in children).