(SIOUX CITY, IA) The flu season doesn't normally begin for a few weeks, but health officials say the flu is showing up earlier this year, which could mean a longer and more severe season. We talked with the Siouxland District Health Department about how you can stay healthy.
The flu usually starts off with a high fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches. And it usually ends with a trip to the doctor's office. But is there a way to avoid all that?
"Every year, thousands of people die across the United States, well over 30,000 people die because of complications of influenza, where a simple flu shot could have protected them, and potentially saved their life," says Linda Drey, Nursing Director for the Siouxland District Health Department.
The Centers for Disease Control says five states are reporting higher than normal numbers of cases and in Iowa, flu season is off to a faster start than surrounding states.
Not everyone goes to the doctor when they develop symptoms of the flu, so Google developed "Google Flu Trends" which uses collective Google search data to estimate flu activity around the world.
Here in Iowa, Google has the flu trend at Moderate.
The CDC has a prediction of its own.
"We usually see flu begin to have an uptick in about four to six weeks from now, so seeing it this early could very well predict not only a longer, but a more severe flu season," says Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director of the CDC.
"Influenza can be very serious it can lead to pneumonia potentially, so an individual really wants to make sure they are taking care of themselves," says Drey.
Doctors say you can take care of yourself by getting that yearly flu shot. They also say it's scientifically impossible to get the flu from the influenza vaccine.
"If somebody gets influenza within a week or two probably from getting their flu vaccine, they were more than likely exposed prior to getting that flu vaccine," says Drey.
You can a flu shot at the Siouxland District Health Department, Walgreens, or local Hy-Vee stores.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm
http://www.google.org/flutrends/us/#US-IA
http://siouxlanddistricthealth.org/
Hleigh@siouxlandnews.com
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