Central Ohio Sees Uptick In Serious Flu Cases

Hospitals in central Ohio say they're already seeing serious and sometimes life-threatening cases of the flu this year. At least 28 people have been hospitalized for the flu in Franklin County as of Oct. 25. That's more than double the number of cases at this time last year. About 36 percent of flu hospitalizations in the county have been among working-age adults ages 18-49. Throughout Ohio, emergency room visits, hospitalizations and thermometer sales are also slightly above the five-year average used by health officials to assess flu activity. Health officials say it's impossible to predict the course the flu will run each year, but that flu vaccines offer the greatest protection against the virus and can reduce symptoms should a person become sick.