MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Flu season has hit fast and hard. The Tennessee Department of Health says the number of flu cases is steadily growing and is very serious. In fact, it’s lined up to be one of the most severe in some time.
Dr. Mark Castellaw with Baptist Medical Group has seen a surge of cases in his practice.
“We are starting to see a peak in the number of flu cases and one of the interesting things…is that this year a lot of the cases we diagnose with Type A Flu, about 40 percent of those people have had a flu shot,” Dr. Castellaw said.
He says since the vaccine was formulated, the virus has mutated so that in some people who got the flu shot early in the year, it hasn’t been effective.
Still, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to get the shot. Doctors advise you to get one.
“It can lessen the cases and prevent the flu from other strains it does cover,” Dr. Castellaw said.
It’s not just Tennessee. Arkansas is also dealing with high flu activity.
In the last three months more than 3,300 people in Arkansas have tested positive for the virus. Many of the cases happened in the past week.
“It’s not just isolated to the Memphis area. It’s the whole Mid-South, and starting to be nationwide as well,” Dr. Castellaw said.
He says if you have underlying health problems, you need to take extra precaution. Pay attention to high fever, joint aches, and chills. If you are in good health, you will likely survive with no lasting effects.
“The best prevention is hand washing. When you cough, cover your mouth and if you are sick, this is something that is hard for people to do. If you are sick and running a fever, don’t go to work,” Dr. Castellaw said.
While you are at work, Dr. Castellaw says keep your work area clean. Wipe down your keyboard and other areas you touch.
Health officials say the key is catching the flu early so it can be treated. That’s why they say get to a doctor when the first symptoms hit.
Very young children, pregnant women, and the elderly are most at risk because of weaker immune systems.
