WakeMed inundated with flu patients

According to the state's Department of Health and Human Services, 21 new flu-related deaths were reported from Jan. 14 to Jan. 20, bringing the total to 67 people who have died after suffering complications of the flu.

WakeMed emergency departments reported that they have treated 943 patients diagnosed with positive flu tests from Jan. 1 to Jan. 23.

"They're definitely higher than what we've seen in recent years," said Jessica Dixon, a spokeswoman for WakeMed. "On Monday, we performed the highest number of flu tests we've ever performed."

Officials said over 200 WakeMed patients were tested for the flu virus three days ago. Dixon said, at this point in the season, flu test results are not that important.

"When you have epidemic levels of influenza in the community (and) if it looks like the flu, providers are instructed to treat it like it's flu," she said. "That irective has come from the CDC."

"All we can do for you is keep you hydrated and give you things to lower your fever," she said. "Those are mostly things you can do at home."

Officials says the numbers reported by the state represent just the tip of the iceberg because that data only represents how many cases, confirmed by hospital flu tests, were reported to state health officials.

There are lots of false negatives from the test, and some patients might not be diagnosed with the illness but doctors will make a clinical diagnosis if the symptoms are the same.