West TN Sees Spike in Flu
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If you think just because you have not gotten the flu so far this year, you have escaped the bug, think again. West Tennessee is experiencing a later than usual flu season. Records at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital show the flu season was relatively quiet until the first of this month. Health officials there said so far this month they have diagnosed more flu cases than they did during the entire month of March last year. Some of the reason why included our mild winter and the number of people getting the vaccine this year and last year. “The virus that is floating around this year, that’s hitting us, is very similar to last year,” said Linda Avent, with Infection Control at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. “So, if you took the flu vaccine last year, you still have some immunity built up and you’re gonna have a little lighter case or you may even be able to resist it. So, we’re lucky.” In addition to the flu, severa respiratory and stomach viruses are making their way around West Tennessee. Doctors said the best way to avoid then are to practice good hygiene through hand washing and avoiding contact with those who are contagious.
