FORT WORTH – WBAP/KLIF – Flu is making an early appearance nationwide and across North Texas this year, in time for holiday travel to help spread the sometimes deadly virus. Chief Epidemiologist Russ Jones warns the flu has killed up to 90 thousand Americans in some years. Those with compromised immune systems (suffering from COPD, and generally, the elderly or very young – but that can change as does the virus type from year to year) are most susceptible, and Jones warns it’s after surviving the flu we can catch other viruses that may then take a deadly toll.
The flu virus making a sweeping impression this year is a type of “B” flu virus. Health officials will not know until the end of flu season, generally in February, how deadly or widespread it will be from year to year, but the timing of a month’s’ early arrival of the virus combined with holiday travel and family get togethers this week are expected to worsen the numbers of infected people.
Jones reminds us we are infectious for two days before we endure symptoms of sore throat, cough and a fever. He urges us to wash our hands frequently, and to avoid touching the nose and eyes before washing hands. If you begin to suspect you may have caught the flu virus, you’re asked to stay at home and out of public to avoid spreading the virus. If you experience the symptoms of flu, you are urged to see a doctor and get medication that can help lessen the severity and length of the illness. If you have not yet received a vaccination against the flu, you are urged to do that now.
(Copyright, All Rights Reserved, WBAP/KLIF 2019)
