{"id":333,"date":"2018-01-08T14:50:00","date_gmt":"2018-01-08T14:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/?page_id=333"},"modified":"2018-01-08T19:52:50","modified_gmt":"2018-01-08T19:52:50","slug":"health-advisory-seasonal-influenza-update","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/health-advisory-seasonal-influenza-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Advisory: Seasonal Influenza Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

\"Seal<\/p>\n

January 8, 2018<\/p>\n

Dear Colleagues:<\/p>\n

Influenza activity started affecting all regions of Virginia in December, and outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (fever with cough and\/or sore throat) are now increasing in all parts of our state. The Virginia Department of Health is also receiving reports of outbreaks and confirmed cases of influenza. In recent weeks, influenza A and influenza B have been confirmed in Virginia (85% influenza A). Of the influenza A viruses that have been subtyped, A\/H3 has been identified twice as often as A\/H1. Weekly reports on influenza activity in Virginia are posted on the VDH influenza surveillance webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On December 27th<\/sup>, 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Advisory<\/a> on seasonal influenza to 1) remind clinicians to include influenza high on their list of possible diagnoses for ill patients because influenza activity is increasing nationwide and 2) advise clinicians that treatment with a neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral as soon as possible is the recommended approach for all hospitalized patients and all high-risk patients (either hospitalized or outpatient) with suspected influenza.<\/p>\n

The CDC Health Advisory includes the following key messages:<\/p>\n