Increase in Influenza Cases in Meriden

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are diving into a topic that has a lot of people talking: the rise in flu cases. Connecticut has seen an increase in cases since the beginning of December, which is common this time of year as the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas is also a common time to see an increase in respiratory illness due to traveling and holiday gatherings. As your local health department, we continue to monitor lab-confirmed cases of influenza in our community. Since September 1, Meriden has had 372 confirmed cases of Influenza, with 342 occurring so far in December alone. If you’ve had the flu before, you probably remember the sudden onset of symptoms. Common symptoms of the flu include: Fever or chills Muscle aches Fatigue Cough and sore throat Runny nose Headaches Sometimes nausea and vomiting (more common in children) So, what can we do to protect ourselves from the flu? The best defense is to get your annual flu vaccine. Beyond vaccination, there are some simple precautions we can take, such as: Washing your hands regularly with soap and water. Avoiding close contact with sick people. If you’re feeling sick, stay home to prevent spreading the virus to others And of course, cover your coughs and sneezes If you are still in need of your flu shot, call our Public Health Clinic at (203) 630-4234. We are open Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm. We will also be open late on December 30 until 6:00pm. For information on respiratory virus disease prevention, please visit our website at www.meridenhealth.com.