Flu season is in full swing

Flu season is in full swing. The latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show there are wide outbreaks in 11 states. And if that wasn't bad enough, there's a new strain of flu coming out that wasn't targeted by this year's vaccine. Every year, the flu infects up to 20 percent of the population. Of those affected, 200,000 are hospitalized and 36,000 die.
In South Carolina, the flu was first confirmed in the state in early January. Earlier this week, state health officials upgraded the flu outbreak to widespread. I spoke with DHEC Region Four's Epidemiologist, Ann Austin. She tells me since the end of January, they've administered more than 15,000 doses of flu vaccine. Austin says the number of people getting shots now isn't numerous, but it's still not to late to get one, and that it takes only two weeks to be protected.
Austin says South Carolina has 68 confirmed flu cases, and flu activity is above normal in most areas.
I also talked with McLeod Regional Medical Center's Director of Infection Control, Michelle Dore. Dore says McLeod has seen more flu cases in the past week than this same time last year. And that the number of patients diagnosed with the flu has also increased since the first cases were reported last month. Dore encourages you to be very diligent about handwashing and covering your coughs.
Finally, Carolinas Hospital System reports their doctors have also seen an increase in patients with the flu and flu-like symptoms. Symptoms, fever, chills, severe body aches, dry cough, and nasal congestion. Carolinas physicians say for healthy adults, the flu can be treated at home with lots of fluids, bed rest, and Tylenol. Older patients or those with a complicated medical history may want to see a doctor.

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