Flu Season is Here

Flu is on the rise in Northeast Texas with an uptick of patience seeing local clinics. The primary strain of Flu in our area is the type A strain. According to Medical News Today, “Influenza A viruses cause seasonal flu epidemics practically every year in the United States. They can infect humans and animals. Influenza A is the only type that can cause a pandemic, which is a global spread of disease. Bird flu and swine flu pandemics both resulted from influenza A viruses.”

“Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs,” states Charlotte Mitchell; Communications Director- Genesis PrimeCare. “Flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.”

This year people who have the flu have experienced these symptoms:

• fever* or feeling feverish/chills

• cough

• sore throat

• runny or stuffy nose

• muscle or body aches

• headaches

• fatigue (tiredness)

• some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever. Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly.

Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

The first and most important step in preventing the flu is to get a flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine has been shown to reduce flu-related illnesses and the risk of serious flu complications that can result in hospitalization or even death. CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions (like staying away from people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and frequent handwashing) to help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat, and lungs) illnesses, like flu.

It is very difficult to distinguish flu from other viral or bacterial respiratory illnesses based on symptoms alone. Genesis PrimeCare Ellington Memorial Clinic has tests available to diagnose flu.

The Flu can be dangerous, especially to those older or who have health conditions like asthma. If you have come down with flu symptoms, there are antiviral drugs that can be used to treat flu illness.

Genesis PrimeCare Ellington Memorial Clinic- Influenza numbers November 2022: November by Week: Week 1 - 81 Total Flu Tests Flu A - 15 Positive Flu B - 0 Positive Week 2 - 121 Total Tests performed Flu A - 30 Positive Flu B - 0 Positive Week 3 - 228 Total Tests performed Flu A - 74 positives Flu B - 1 Positive Week 4 - 141 Total Tests performed Flu A - 52 positives Flu B - 2 positives For more information about the Flu: https://www.cdc. gov/flu