Mocs News Reporting the news that matters most to UTC
Cooler temperatures are here to stay, but because of the cold weather, flu season has started early, and medical experts are afraid this could be the worst one yet.
In the latest report from the CDC, the graphic shows that the flu has already spread across the United States, with a majority of states reporting high influenza rates.
According to The New York Times, one of the most recent spikes has been in Nashville, where a number of people have been hospitalized.
“It’s far from a perfect vaccine,” says Dr. William Schaffer of Vanderbilt University, “but we can still do a lot of good with a pretty good one.”
Experts are urging people to get flu shots, stating that even if they fail, the shots can often prevent the flu from getting worse.
The flu has already been labeled as “moderately severe” with three more months for the flu to run.
While the flu hasn’t reached the “epidemic” level yet, many are asking what they can do to prevent getting sick. Experts have given a few solutions on what you can do.
If you haven’t you should get a flu shot. While there is typically a forty to sixty percent effective rate it can help lessen the symptoms of the flu.
Wash your hands carefully. Washing your hands limits the spread of germs and the virus itself.
Try to avoid being in close contact with sick people.
If you get the flu, stay home and try to avoid contact with others.
Remember to consider medicines like Tamiflu. But if you are already sick – sleep, take medicine, drink plenty of fluids, and if you start running a high fever or have shortness of breath go to a hospital.
