On January 19, 2018, the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health issued Health Advisory #143 to doctors, hospitals and other health care facilities. It said flu activity in the state was widespread.
The advisory said the season stood out for the large number of sick people, which put stress on health systems. CDC had warned of a high-severity influenza A (H3N2) season. In past H3N2 seasons, adults 65 and older and young children had the most severe illness.
From December 2017 to January 15, 2018, the state confirmed 64 flu outbreaks. The share of people seeking care for flu-like illness had been high for four weeks in a row, above the levels of the past five seasons. As of January 6, CDC counted 20 flu deaths in children nationally, none in West Virginia.
The advisory called vaccination the best single way to prevent flu and its complications. It said antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir were the second line of defense. CDC advised giving them, within 48 hours if possible, to all hospitalized, severely ill and high-risk patients with suspected or confirmed flu.
This guidance is from January 2018. It is kept here as a record and is not current advice. Check current guidance from the CDC or your doctor.