CDC says flu widespread in Virginia

[peternap]

Boy.....That's news


By Laura Geller - bio | email

Posted by Terry Alexander - email

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - According to the CDC, Virginia is the only state in the country seeing extensive flu activity.   

Doctors say while they haven't seen a significant amount of flu cases in the Richmond area just yet, Central Virginians still need to be on guard.  That's because historically February is when we see the most flu activity.

"Just the sheer agony of it. I've had some bad cases before and it's just draining, be out of work, be down and out for a week and the next thing you know it goes to the next person and the next person in the family and it just becomes a big mess," said Michael Early.

That's why he's been getting a flu shot for the last decade. Patient First Dr. Kenneth Lucas says it's not too late to get vaccinated.

"Ideally you should have taken it end of October, November but for people who haven't had it, it would be a good idea to get it. It is almost certainly going to be here in large numbers any day," said Dr. Lucas.

He says there are ways to tell whether you have the flu or a cold or some other respiratory illness.

"If you don't have a fever, you very likely don't have the flu and if you don't feel like somebody took a stick and beat you up one side and down the other you probably don't have the flu," he said.

This can be especially dangerous for more vulnerable populations like the elderly and children.  That's why Louise Kirby along with her six year old daughter were vaccinated for the first time this year.

"I've had the flu and it's horrendous so I wanted to avoid it at all costs," said Kirby.

Patient First says if you get to a doctor early enough there are anti-viral medications that may help. Usually those drugs will only have a maximum impact if you start within the first 48 hours of feeling symptoms. 

[glenn kangiser]

Tamiflu is worthless - only may decrease the discomfort a few hours if you take it at all, but on the good side, you will be donating to Donald Rumsfeld's retirement portfolio, which is the reason the Feral Government bought a couple billion dollars worth a few years ago.

[Bishopknight]

Thanks for the heads up, time to take care of myself a little better for a while.