Fairfax Health District is experiencing high levels of influenza (flu) illness. From January 26 to February 1, about one in seven (14%) people going to Fairfax emergency department and urgent care centers were diagnosed with flu. Children in Fairfax are especially at risk of flu with about one in four (25-27%) of their visits for flu.

This level of flu activity is higher than what Fairfax has seen in past years, both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), flu activity in Virginia is very high and will likely continue to grow. 

Fairfax County Health Department urges the community to review information below about what to do if you or a loved one is sick with flu and how to prevent spreading it to others. You can still get the flu vaccine to help lower your risk of serious illness. 

What are the symptoms of flu? 

Flu symptoms typically start suddenly, and people with flu usually have some of these symptoms: 

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills, though not everyone with flu will have a fever 
• Cough 
• Sore throat 
• Runny or stuffy nose 
• Muscle or body aches 
• Headaches 
• Tiredness 
• Vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults 

What should I do if I get sick with flu? 

• CDC has steps to take when you or a loved one is sick with flu: 
  • Check to see if you are at risk of serious illness. Some people are at higher risk of serious flu complications. This includes young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease). Please visit CDC’s website for a full list of individuals at higher risk. If you or your loved one is in one of these groups, contact your doctor early in the illness and ask about getting treated for flu. 
  • Get emergency medical care if you have serious warning signs. Most people can recover from flu at home and do not need to visit the emergency department. But if you have emergency warning signs of serious complications, get medical care immediately. These include but are not limited to: 

  • In children

    In adults

    Fast breathing or trouble breathing  Bluish lips or face  Ribs pulling in with each breath  Chest pain  Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)  Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)  Not alert or interacting when awake  Seizures  Fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit that is not reduced by fever-reducing medicine  In children younger than 12 weeks, any fever  Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen  Worsening of chronic medical conditions

    Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath  Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen  Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse  Seizures  Not urinating  Severe muscle pain  Severe weakness or unsteadiness  Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen  Worsening of chronic medical conditions

  • Stay home and away from others while sick. Flu spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. To prevent flu from spreading, avoid close contact with others until: 
    • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and 
    • You do not have a fever for at least 24 hours, and are not using fever-reducing medication
  • Cover coughs and sneezes. If you must be around others, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Wearing a mask can also help protect yourself and others.
  • Wash your hands often to prevent the spread of flu germs.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and improve indoor air quality when possible, such as bringing in fresh outside air or purifying indoor air.
  • Do not give aspirin to children. Anyone 18 years and younger who has flu (or might have flu) should not be given aspiring or any products that contain salicylate (e.g., Pepto Bismol). This can cause a rare and serious complication called Reye’s syndrome.

How is flu treated?

Antiviral drugs are available to treat flu in children and adults. These are not sold over the counter. You can get them if you have a prescription from a healthcare provider.

CDC recommends that people at higher risk of serious flu complications should be treated with antiviral drugs as soon as possible if they get sick with flu. The antiviral treatment works best when taken within 1-2 of the first flu symptoms.

How can I protect myself and loved ones from flu?

The best way to protect yourself from serious illness is to get a seasonal flu vaccine. The vaccine lowers the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine every year. While it’s best to get the flu vaccine by the end of October, it is still important to get vaccinated as long as flu is a risk in the community.

You may also take the following actions to prevent the spread of flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Wash your hands often with soap and water (or alcohol-based hand rub if soap is not available)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, since this is how flu germs can enter the body
• Clean frequently touched surfaces
• Improve air quality to reduce exposure to viruses
• Wear a mask to protect yourself from breathing in droplets from others

Additional Information

• Check out our respiratory illness dashboard to see weekly data on influenza and other respiratory illnesses in our community.
• Visit our flu webpage for more details on influenza illness and prevention, educational materials, and other helpful resources.
• Explore CDC’s webpage for more in-depth guidance and information about the flu.