FAST FACTS:
- MidSouth pediatricians are seeing high cases of the flu.
- Schools are reminding parents not to send children with fever over 100.
- Experts say flu season could last another six to eight weeks.
(Memphis) “It’s really been a doubling of cases every week,” explains LeBonheur Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Jon McCullers who says the hospital hit a season high Monday night when doctors saw more than 380 flu patients before midnight.
Dr. McCullers says we can blame a not so cold winter for the late spike, plus three strains hitting at the same time.
“You know there’s three different types of flu that circulate and we may see one early, one late, or they may overlap a little bit. We’re seeing all three types of flu here in Memphis at the exact same time which is very unusual.”
Experts say no vaccines are 100% effective, so there could be other strains of influenza that aren’t covered through the shot. However, according to CDC officials we spoke with and Dr. McCullers, the vaccine given this year is a good match for the viruses.
“It should prevent most influenza, you know, maybe 90%,” says Dr. McCullers.
According to Dr. McCullers, parents should watch out for secondary illnesses that patients often get after the flu, like ear infections and even pnemonia.
“We do have antiviral drugs that are very effective against the flu, they will make you feel better quicker, so they make you feel better than you would feel, and they prevent a lot of these complications.”
Experts say the key though, is early treatment, so parents should contact their pediatricians when kids begin to show symptoms. Of course, Dr. McCullers’ other piece of advice is handwashing.
A simple step that could stop the flu, in a season set to possibly last another two months.