Good Samaritan Hospital is seeing an increase in the number of flu patients in the hospital and encouraging everyone to take necessary precautions. Widespread influenza activity has been reported by 23 states and Indiana is included. Good Samaritan is asking the public not to visit the hospital or the inpatient units if they are showing any signs of illness. While vaccine effectiveness can range from one flu season to the next; the recommendation from the CDC is to get your flu shot if you haven’t already done so. A late vaccination is still beneficial in preventing the flu or minimizing the illness. Antiviral drugs are an important second line of defense that can be used to treat flu illness.
