Flu shows up for Christmas

Gifts may not be the only thing exchanged this holiday season: Influenza has arrived in Utah, and lots of people are sneezing and coughing and feeling genuinely miserable — then passing it on.

So far, 37 people have been hospitalized with severe influenza, which arrived just in time for maximum exposure at area malls, school pageants and family gatherings.

"This is the beginning of the intense flu season," said Susan Mottice, epidemiologist in the Utah Department of Health. "Our sentinel data indicates we have widespread influenza activity."

The map posted and updated weekly at www.health.utah.gov shows a band of elevated flu activity centered mostly along the Wasatch Front.

The Utah County Health Department over the past two weeks has received scattered reports of people testing positive for influenza at doctors' offices and clinics, said spokesman Lance Madigan.

"The flu has definitely arrived in Utah County," Madigan said.

The county's first hospitalization of the flu season was reported last week, he said.

Madigan advises Utah County residents who haven't yet been vaccinated for the flu this season to do so.

"Unlike some areas, we still have flu shots (available)," he said. "Some people think it's too late to get a flu shot, and that's not the case. It's still very useful to get the flu shot and try to nip that in the bud."

"Our volume jumped significantly two weeks ago and again dramatically this week," said Mike Gibbons, nurse manager at the LDS Hospital emergency room.

At Primary Children's Medical Center, they're seeing a definite but expected uptick in influenza and other respiratory illnesses. "We're definitely not peaking yet," said Bonnie Midget, spokeswoman.

University Hospital always sees more flu-like illnesses this time of year, said Chantelle Turner, a hospital spokeswoman, and this week has been no different. It's especially common, she said, when there's a warm spell amid the cold. That tends to boost spread of the illness.

"We're seeing respiratory complaints, fever, etc. There are strep throats and influenza cases," as well as a flu-like illness that tests negative for influenza but includes a high fever, Gibbons said. As for the age of patients, "it's all over the board."