Make sure you have your Kleenex and ginger ale ready — flu season is picking up in Summit County. 

Summit County Public Health tracks influenza activity by the week.

According to the most recent report, which ended on Dec. 22, about 3.5 percent of all emergency department visits during that time were for fevers or flu-related symptoms, like coughs or sore throats.

There was also an increase in the number of flu-related hospitalizations and antiviral prescriptions. 

Google.org’s flu trends for Cleveland show numbers increasing rapidly in recent weeks and reaching “intense” levels. 

Hospitals restricting visitation

Hospitals across the region are reducing the risk of transmission by limiting visitation privileges among patients, according to an Akron Regional Hospital Association press release issued Thursday. 

Affected hospitals include (in alphabetical order): Affinity Medical Center, Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Institute, Akron General Medical Center, Akron General Lodi Community Hospital, Alliance Community Hospital, Aultman Hospital, Aultman Acute Care Specialty Hospital, Medina Hospital and Mercy Medical Center, Regency Barberton Hospital, Regency Ravenna Hospital, Robinson Memorial Hospital, Select Specialty Akron Hospital, Select Specialty Canton Hospital, Summa Akron City Hospital, Summa Barberton Hospital, Summa Rehab Hospital, Summa St. Thomas Hospital, Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital and Summa Western Reserve Hospital.

Only healthy visitors are permitted in the above facilities with a limit of two visitors per patient. 

For some tips on protecting yourself from the flu — and to find flu shots in Stow —check out this article.