The number of lab-confirmed influenza cases in the county nearly doubled last week, according to the latest report on the Arizona Department of Health Services website. There are now 33 lab-confirmed cases in Maricopa County, with 13 of them diagnosed last week. Across the state, 103 influenza cases have been confirmed. Fifty-two percent are in patients 18 and younger. Most are influenza A, the same type associated with the novel H1N1 strain identified last year. Influenza levels remain far below the 2009-2010 numbers.
The number of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) cases also jumped last week. There are now 32 lab-confirmed RSV cases in the county, with 11 of them diagnosed last week. RSV is the most common viral infection that involves the lungs. In most children and adults, RSV appears as a very bad cold, with a runny nose and cough, and sometimes - but not always - a fever.
