Anson County remains in the peak of a severe flu outbreak, according to nurse practitioner Sandra Teal of Carolinas Primary Care in Wadesboro.
In fact, the flu season doesn’t end until April, Teal said. She encourages all Anson County residents to get their flu shots, if they haven’t already, despite reports that the flu vaccine is not all that effective this season.
“I still highly encourage people to get the flu vaccine,” Teal said. “Some protection is better than none.”
She added that “it’s a myth that you can get the flu from the flu shot.” She said there is usually some soreness at the injection site, and there can be achiness as a result of the shot, but the vaccine itself does not cause a person to get the flu.
Although Carolinas Primary Care, located at Carolinas Healthcare System — Anson, has not seen any hospitalizations or deaths due to the flu during the 2014-15 season, Teal said there have been complications stemming from the flu reported in the Carolinas Healthcare System. “Those most at risk are any infants up to toddler age, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, HIV, asthma, COPD,” she said. “If you have any of these conditions and have flu-like symptoms, I recommend seeing a doctor immediately.”
Teal shared that according to the Centers for Disease Control, there were 7,500 cases of the flu diagnosed weekly in December. “And it has probably gone up since then,” she added.
Also, statistics reported on www.flu.nc.gov state that there were 15 new deaths in North Carolina from the flu during the week of Jan. 11-17, and a total of 114 deaths statewide since Oct. 4.
In order to avoid getting the flu altogether, Ansonians can take several precautions, in addition to getting the vaccine. Teal recommends lots of handwashing, avoiding crowds where diseases can spread more quickly and staying hydrated.
For more information on this year’s flu season, visit www.flu.nc.gov/.
Editor Abby Cavenaugh may be reached at 704-694-2161, ext. 2301 or on Twitter @TheAnsonRecord.