"Its just the flu"

2/3/2015 (Permalink)

"Its just the flu"

I seriously cannot tell you how many times I have heard that expression.  Yet each time i hear it, I cringe.  "Its just the flu" is high across most of the country with flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths elevated.  Flu season will probably continue for several weeks.  It is a disease that makes those of us who work with the public very nervous.  The only real certainty is that there will be a flu season each winter.  Other than that, there are many unknowns: When will it start? What strains will be circulating? Who will be at great risk? How severe will it be? How well will the vaccine work?

Unfortunately, the flu season is in full swing, so we will tell you what we do know.

We know that the number of flu cases started to spike first in the southeastern United States.  Visits for flu like symptoms start to rise in December and have continued to rise and spread.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 states have high levels of flu activity.  Although the flu season is in full swing, it often continues into March.  What is the best flu prevention? Get vaccinated! While the flu vaccine is not working as well as usual against some H3N2 viruses, vaccination can still protect some people and reduce hospitalizations and deaths, and will protect against other flu viruses.

Influenza antiviral drugs can treat flu illness.  CDC recommends these drugs be used to treat people who are very sick or who are at high risk of serious flu complications with flu symptoms.  Early antiviral treatment works best.

If you are sick, stay home. Set an example so maybe others will do the same.

And please, whatever you do, don’t say "Its just the flu"