Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/eldar nurkovic

The number of people with the flu doubled during December

There were 46.7 cases per 100,000 people in Ireland suffering last month.

DID YOU SUFFER with the flu over December?

You weren’t on your own. There was an almost-doubling of the influenza like illness rate (ILI) in the last report issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

During the week ending 11 December, the rate was 25.8 per 100,000 people. That rose to 46.7 in the week ending 18 December and continued to increase over Christmas and the New Year.

The HSE expects it to rise even further in the coming weeks and has today urged people – especially those in at risk groups – to get the flu vaccination.

In a statement late last night, the HSE confirmed there have been several flu outbreaks in both residential care facilities and in acute hospital settings around the country, with Dublin being significantly impacted.

The predominant strain is AH3 which affects mostly older people.

People suffering with the flu are advised not to go to hospital as it can be treated from home.

The HSE says: “It is advised that you drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost from sweating. Get lots of rest and eat healthily.

However, if you are at risk of complications from  flu you may need to see a doctor as there are specific anti-viral medicines available which you might need. These work best if started within 48 hours of flu symptoms.”

There has also been an increase in presentations to some hospitals of people with Norovirus. Cork University Hospital yesterday asked people to stay away from its emergency department as it dealt with “very high demand”. It had to close 16 beds due to the large number of patients with the winter vomiting bug.

 

Read: Fitness truths: ‘Exercise might be uncomfortable, overwhelming. It’s supposed to be’

More: Cockroach infestations are at their highest for a decade

Poll: Are you having a dry January?

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
30 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute chinaski
    Favourite chinaski
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 7:47 AM

    Day 4 of the shits right now…. Please send help…

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aaron Gibson
    Favourite Aaron Gibson
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:46 AM

    I don’t know if pouring benalyn for flu up your ars3 will help you.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Josephine Carroll
    Favourite Josephine Carroll
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 7:40 AM

    I got a very bad cold just in time for Christmas….

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Red hurley
    Favourite Red hurley
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 7:30 AM

    I got the flu vaccination and STILL got the effin flu.so should i have bothered!?

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal, not Neil.
    Favourite Neal, not Neil.
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 7:55 AM

    Did you get the flu or did you get a cold?

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colman McGrath
    Favourite Colman McGrath
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 8:31 AM

    @Red hurley: Red….Colostrum is scientifically proven to be 3 times more effective at staving off the flu than getting a flu vaccination !!! Just saying is all !!!

    12
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colman McGrath
    Favourite Colman McGrath
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:45 AM

    @Colman McGrath: Ha ha. Here comes the uneducated Red Thumbs. Collectively known as morons !!!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Keogh
    Favourite Joe Keogh
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:46 AM

    @Red hurley: I got the flu vaccine and got the flu haven’t.had the flu for twenty years I am not blaming the injection I may have had it before getting the injection which was last week.. Sweats nausea and muscular pains these are the symptoms I thought I was on the way out!,!,,I feel slightly better today.neurofene plus and some anti histamine these items seemed to help.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thunder Snowman
    Favourite Thunder Snowman
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:56 AM

    If you hadn’t had the flu in 20 years, why did you get the vaccine?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Keogh
    Favourite Joe Keogh
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 10:31 AM

    @Thunder Snowman: was just in getting the yearly bloods done and got the injection.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eustace Janey
    Favourite Eustace Janey
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 8:07 AM

    Stop I got the flu over Xmas and New years and now iv the vomiting bug aswell

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tom
    Favourite tom
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 3:14 PM

    Come back to work asap to share your experience

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Murray
    Favourite Daniel Murray
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 10:31 AM

    Am I the only one to notice the cover photo is girl lying in bed with a pregnancy test?

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Kenny
    Favourite John Kenny
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 10:43 AM

    @Daniel Murray: think its a thermometer

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 1:49 PM

    It’s a thermometer! What I noticed was the toilet roll by the bed :-) Weird luck to have fresh lemons and ginger and no tissues in the house.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tomred
    Favourite Tomred
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:13 AM

    In bed doing my best to cough up a lung.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne Clarke
    Favourite Anne Clarke
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:03 AM

    Was chatting to a GP before Christmas who told me the flu vaccine didn’t work this year. The strain changes every 7 years and that despite thinking they had captured the strain a new one gad come in from eastern Europe. He said it’s very difficult to ensure the vaccination covers all strains. He also said he had taken a flu vaccine a few years back himself and spent 2 weeks in bed after ir. He never got it again. Waste of time.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonny Lennon
    Favourite Jonny Lennon
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:23 AM

    I used to get it every year without fail but haven’t since I’ve been getting the jab this year included

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colman McGrath
    Favourite Colman McGrath
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:28 AM

    @Anne Clarke: But the science Anne…think of the Science !!! It’s always been right….!!! Ha.

    4
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thunder Snowman
    Favourite Thunder Snowman
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:41 AM

    @Jonny Lennon: The same with me. I used to get the seasonal flu really badly every year but the last three years I have got the flu jab and haven’t had the flu since.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pharmyco
    Favourite Pharmyco
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:46 AM

    @Anne Clarke: This year the vaccine protected against Influenza A H3N2 http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/10483/SPC/Inactivated+Influenza+Vaccine+(Split+Virion)+BP/

    According to the most recent monitoring report, the predominant strain seen this year so far is A H3N2.

    http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Respiratory/Influenza/SeasonalInfluenza/Surveillance/InfluenzaSurveillanceReports/20162017Season/File,15957,en.pdf

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lord Clanricarde
    Favourite Lord Clanricarde
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:30 AM

    I’ve an awful dose at the moment. It’s in our house for last two weeks, between wife and kids!!

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maire
    Favourite Maire
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 11:12 AM

    four more Weeks to go!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute chinaski
    Favourite chinaski
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 7:48 AM

    Day 4 of the sh!ts this morning. Please. Send. Help.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute LooseSpanner
    Favourite LooseSpanner
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:50 AM

    Went vegetarian about 2 years ago lads, never had a cold,flu etc every since. Just saying!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony O Neill
    Favourite Tony O Neill
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 8:30 AM

    So much for a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Yea me a@se.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonny Lennon
    Favourite Jonny Lennon
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 9:22 AM

    The flu jab… Simple…. 100% effective I haven’t gotten the dreaded flu since I have been getting the jab every November

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute KT
    Favourite KT
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 10:04 AM

    It’s mostly effective but nothing is 100% In saying that I always get it after getting swine flu a few years ago – thought I was dying!

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Linda Hughes
    Favourite Linda Hughes
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 12:47 PM

    Everyone I know was sick for Christmas it was an awful dose!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Kenny
    Favourite John Kenny
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2017, 10:42 AM

    Think it could also be a thermometer.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds