Officials with Prisma Health held a press conference on Friday morning, emphasizing the importance of seeking care quickly when sick during flu season.
The talk comes just two days after the first confirmed pediatric flu-related death in the state. According to Prisma officials, South Carolina is currently one of the hardest-hit states in regard to this flu season, and early treatment often leads to a quicker recovery.
“The sooner you treat influenza, the better off the outcomes are going to be,” said Anna-Kathryn Burch, a pediatric infectious disease physician. “With viral infections, we have to treat those sooner rather than later.”
Currently, Burch says that the state is experiencing a surge of Influenza A infections, with increasing hospitalizations. Prisma Health officials emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective way to protect yourself against infections and that it is still not too late to receive a vaccine.
For those already ill, according to Burch, there is a 48-hour window from flu symptom onset where antivirals prove to have better outcomes. For at-risk populations, such as immunocompromised individuals or infants, early treatment is especially encouraged.
Another reason to seek care early, Prisma officials say, is to get a clear idea of what illness you need to treat. COVID-19, influenza, strep and RSV are all potential concerns for families during this time of year.
“It’s always good to know what virus is infecting you, because they have different potential outcomes,” Burch said.
Prisma Health Urgent Cares are open seven days a week, and many sites can provide a quick test for all of these illnesses using a test called the SPOTFIRE Respiratory Panel.
“It allows us to test for multiple different types of infection, including Covid, flu, RSV and strep with just a single swab,” said Jake Summerford, the clinical operations regional vice president for Prisma. “Within 10 to 15 minutes, we’ll have the results out and can give [the patient] the right treatment plan for them.”
For information on Prisma Health Urgent Care facilities, or to make an appointment, visit https://www.prismahealthurgentcare.org/.
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