MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Over the next few days, take some time to do what you can to keep yourself healthy.
A new report with the Center for Disease Control said Tennesseans are at the highest risk of getting a flu-like illness, compared to the rest of the country. 9.5% of Tennessee’s outpatient visits are for flu-like illnesses, with Memphis and Shelby county seeing the highest rates at 15.6%.
While these numbers can seem alarming, local doctors are asking people not to panic.
Dr. Sandy Arnold, Division Chief of Infectious Diseases at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, said the organization has seen less cases than last year. However, Arnold said the outlier this time around is what happens after someone supposedly recovers from the flu. This year, the children’s hospital has seen a higher amount of complications a week or two after someone first gets the flu.
Complications include bacterial pneumonia, headaches, and sinus infections. Dr. Arnold said there is not a clear reason why this is happening now, but a flu shot is a good way to reduce the intensity of the illness and any complication that comes from it.
“Even though you can still get a milder version of the flu, even if you had a flu shot, it’s not the best vaccine in the world. We do know it helps to prevent complications and it does help to prevent death,” said Dr. Arnold.
If you think you may be experiencing any complications from the flu, head to your doctor’s office before heading to the emergency room, and see if they can do a chest x-ray.
Flu rates across the US appear to be going down, according to data from the CDC, however it still may be weeks before rates return to normal.
To lessen the chance of getting sick in the first place, Arnold said the best thing to do is get a flu shot. Other doctors also advise staying away from the visibly ill, and cleaning your hands and surfaces.
If you do get sick, the best thing to do is stay home.
“Because that’s just going to contribute to the spread of the virus. There are medications that you can take that will reduce the severity of your illness and increase the chance that you’ll get better quickly, like Tamiflu,” said Arnold.