MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There is lots of talk about Ebola and the Enterovirus D68, but doctors say the real killer you should be concerned about is the flu.
Each year around 36,000 people die from the flu, and hundreds of thousands more are hospitalized.
So far, about 4,000 people have died from Ebola.
“We have 36,000 deaths from influenza that is preventable. Get a flu shot,” said Dr. Helen Morrow with the Shelby County Health Department.
Helen Hope got the flu when she was seven, but still remembers how bad it felt.
The college student said that’s why she gets the flu vaccine every year.
“I’m a student and so being out of school for a week or two that is really hard. So, getting a flu shot kind of prevents that,” said Hope.
The flu season in the U.S., usually, peaks between December and February, but can start as early as October.
Health experts say the sooner you can the shot and build up your immunities the better.
They say it may be even more important this year for those concerned about Ebola.
“Some of the symptoms when you get ill with Ebola are just like influenza, you get achy and you get a fever. So, we would like to prepare and prevent things from happening and so that’s one less thing to worry about,” said Dr. Morrow.
Dr. Morrow said the flu shot will do little to protect against the Enterovirus, also a concern this year, but said everyone over the age of six months should be getting the flu.
The Shelby County Health Department will be giving free flu shot October 11 at the Hickory Ridge Mall from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
