Influenza has been sweeping through Central and North Jersey for the last several weeks. With the majority of the state flagged with “high flu activity,” Immediate Care Medical Walk In of Edison has also seen a striking rise of flu cases. Offering rapid flu tests and onsite flu treatment, Immediate Care has been preparing for flu season since fall. With a proactive approach to flu prevention, all Immediate Care locations began carrying and administering the influenza vaccination in October, encouraging all their patients, especially the young and elderly to get the shot.
“What we’re seeing now is a lot of the H3N2 strain (Flu A),” said Dr. David J. Cennimo, an epidemiologist at University Hospital in Newark and an assistant professor of medicine-pediatrics infectious disease at Rutgers Medical School. “The H3N2 case is a form of influenza A, and is usually the most aggressive strain.”
This time last year, only 697 flu outbreaks were recorded while there is an astonishing 1,166 flu cases reported thus far. The Central East and North East regions currently have the highest number of positive rapid flu tests. While contracting the flu is always a high risk, the strain of Flu A (H3N2) is extremely vigorous this year, as it is spreading more rapidly to more people.
Children, seniors, and women who are pregnant are at the highest risk of flu complications. The Center for Disease Control highly encourages everyone to receive the flu shot, as it decreases the amount of flu cases as well as the spreading of the virus. Flu season runs through April so there is still time to get your flu vaccination if you haven’t yet done so.
Flu symptoms can vary, but the most common are fever, body aches, chills, fatigue, cough, nausea and headache. To prevent contracting and/or spreading the flu, avoid close contact with those who are sick, wash your hands with soap and water regularly, disinfect common areas, sneeze and cough into your elbow, stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. Immediate Care Medical Walk-In of Edison offers flu testing seven days a week with no appointment necessary. If you feel you are experiencing symptoms of the flu, skip the wait by checking in from your mobile phone, Immediate Care website or onsite kiosk. Immediate Care Medical Walk-In of Edison, located in Wick Plaza at 561 U.S. Hwy 1 South, is open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Committed to providing convenient and affordable medical services, Immediate Care offers walk-in treatment for non-life-threatening illness and injury. Wellness services include pre employment, sports and DOT physicals, occupational health treatments and vaccinations/immunizations. Both x-ray and laboratory services are available on-site. Immediate Care is open seven days a week with no appointment necessary. For a full list of healthcare services or to learn more about Immediate Care, please visit www.immcare.com.
