MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Some cases of the flu are already popping up in the Mid-South, but health experts said so far it appears this year’s flu shot is working.
“We haven’t seen a lot of influenza yet,” said Dr. Jeff Mullins with Mid-South Family Medicine.
The flu season usually peaks around late January through March.
Doctors said the first clue you have the flu is a sudden fever.
You may also have a headache, aches and pains, fatigue and possibly a runny nose and a cough.
If you have a fever greater than 100 degrees for more than 24 hours it’s time to see your doctor.
Health experts said if you have a fever of 104 degrees or higher you need to go an urgent care facility or the emergency room.
“You have a window of opportunity of 48 hours in which drugs like Tamiflu will work if you get influenza. So, if you wait three or four days and a doctor puts you on Tamiflu it may not do you much good. The idea is to reduce the virus’ ability to make you more ill,” said Mullins.
Mullins also suggested you stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids.
The flu can last anywhere from seven to 14 days.
It is not too late to get a flu shot, but remember if you get the vaccine it will take about two weeks for you to fully protected from the flu.