THE HSE has warned that flu cases are “increasing rapidly” in hospitals around the country.
Some 870 people were being treated in hospital for flu this morning, according to the latest figures.
And the Health Service Executive said they expect the cases to reach around 900 in the coming weeks.
The health officials revealed that the number of people in acute hospitals for respiratory illness has been increasing rapidly, with 869 admitted this morning compared to 530 people last Sunday.
On Friday, 742 people were admitted, which increased to 809 yesterday.
The CEO of the Health Service Executive, Bernard Gloster said: “We expect the number to reach around 900 in the coming week and are taking several measures to prepare for the potential surge in hospitalisations and intensive care admissions due to the flu.
“The intensive care capacity is currently managing, with 323 available beds and 300 people in ICU, though not all of them are flu cases, but the flu adds pressure to the wider system.
“Between 20th and 27th of December, 34,400 people attended emergency departments, an increase on 27,800 for the same week last year.
“8,500 patients were admitted compared to 7,800 for the same period last year yet we have fewer people on trolleys.
“Record discharges over the course of this seven day period is keeping the system to some degree stable.”
Gloster added: “The overall patient flow system is moving better than last year, and the healthcare system is focusing on every lever to keep the patient flow system moving and keep everyone safe.
“To respond to the increase in demand, the healthcare system has ramped up measures in the community, including longer GP opening hours and increased out-of-hours services.”
ASSISTANCE PLEA
Health officials are urging the public to work together to combat the spread of respiratory illness by staying home if they are experiencing any symptoms.
They encourage people experiencing any flu symptoms to seek treatment from the local pharmacy, their GP and GP Out of Hours.
People who have non-life-threatening conditions such as fractures and burns are asked to use the injury units.
The HSE kindly asked the people to cooperate with the health staff and follow the restrictions put in place due to flu and other circulating infections.
They encourage visitors and patients to continue to practice infection prevention measures such as handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes.
SYMPTOMS OF FLU, COLD AND COVID-19
There are ten symptoms to watch out for the flu, a virus that infects your lungs and upper airways:
- a sudden high temperature of 38 degrees or above
- aches and pains
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
It is important to get the flu vaccine if you’re advised to.
The symptoms of flu are similar for children. But they can also feel pain in their ear and seem less active.
There are four ways you can do to help ease symptoms and get better more quickly:
- get rest and sleep
- keep warm
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
- drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but the flu tends to be more severe.
The cold usually appears gradually, mainly affects your nose and throat and makes you feel unwell, but you can carry on as usual, such as going to work.
The flu appears quickly within a few hours, affects more than just your nose and throat and makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as usual.
However, flu and Covid-19 can be very similar. The symptoms of Covid-19 include:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste