PHOENIX — We’re not even a week into the start of 2024, and flu cases are spiking here in Arizona.
In fact, since the beginning of October one child has died due to the flu, and across the country, that number has reached a total of 27 infants and children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS).
Dr. Nina Shah, a pulmonary critical care physician and the Chief Quality Officer at HonorHealth Thompson Peak in Scottsdale, has been in the medical field for 15 years, and she knows all too well how bad flu cases can get.
“Yes, they’re spiking in Maricopa County, they’re spiking all across the country, and not only flu rates are spiking, hospitalizations are spiking as well,” she said.
Shah has alarming numbers to back that claim up.
She says nationally 31 million patients seek outpatient care for the flu every year.
“Over 20,000 patients die every year from the flu,” Shah said. “Last year it was higher than that, and so, you know, the flu is real. The flu can be deadly.”
And with those cases come the dreadful symptoms, which include a fever, cough and body aches.
Here in Arizona, statistics from ADHS show 4,280 flu cases were reported in the week ending December 30th. That’s a 25% increase over the prior week.
The season total of 21,570 flu cases through December 30th is a 173% increase over the five-season average for the same time period.
“The rates are still rising,” Shah said. “And I think we have a little bit of a later season and so we won’t know until later this year.“
If you get the flu, she says it’s important to stay home, because the flu is highly contagious. She says typically the symptoms last for about 3 to 8 days.
The good news — Shah says there are helpful tools to either prevent the flu or to get tested if you think you have the flu so you can treat it.
“When you treat for the flu, you can reduce the chances of complications, like hospitalizations and organ damage,” Shah said.
That’s why it’s so important to stay hydrated and keep your guard up.
Shah added that other ways that you can keep yourself safe from the flu include washing your hands a lot, avoiding sick people and getting a flu shot, which she said her family does every year.
“My husband and I are both in health care,” Shah said. “We have three children, and it’s just so important to us that our children are well protected against the flu, so you know they don’t pass illnesses on to other family members, and they don’t pass it to each other.”
While her family has seen a little sickness this year, she says thankfully everyone is healthy now.
“I like to think it’s because all of us got the flu vaccine, and so it was less severe and pretty much everybody got better quickly,” Shah said.
If you are currently sick or already have gotten the flu, it’s not too late to get the flu shot. Shah says you just need to wait for a few months after you’re symptom-free, so it’s most effective.
Shah added that it is safe to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.
For more information about the most recent flu cases in Arizona, click here.
Get to know 12News
At 12News, we listen, we seek, we solve for all Arizonans. 12News is the Phoenix NBC affiliate owned by TEGNA Inc.
12News is built on a legacy of trust. We serve more than 4.6 million people every month on air, on our 12News app, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and 12News.com.
We are committed to serving all of the Valley's communities, because we live here, too.
12News is the Official Home of the Arizona Cardinals and the proud recipient of the 2018 Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for Overall Excellence.
Stay connected by downloading the 12News app, available on Google Play and the Apple Store. Catch up on any stories you missed on the show on the 12News Youtube channel. Read content curated for our Spanish-speaking audience on the Español page. Or see us on the 12News Plus app available on Roku or Amazon Fire.
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.