Flu Season Picking Up

Georgia is in the middle of a widespread flu season and it is no different in this part of the state.

That’s according to Stephens County Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell.

WNEG spoke with Gambrell last week about the current flu season.

He said that Stephens County Hospital has seen more flu in the past few weeks than it had before.

“I was talking to some of my emergency room nurses and they are saying we had seen actually a fair amount of flu patients,” said Gambrell. “I can (also) tell you the pediatric unit has been busy and many of those patients have flu-like symptoms. I do not know if they have the flu per say, but flu-like symptoms for sure.”

Gambrell went on to say that the hospital had not taken any special, out of the ordinary precautionary measures to this point because of the flu.

He said people just need to remember the basics.

“We urge people to wash hands and just try to stay healthy,” said Gambrell.

Meanwhile, state officials said this flu season is likely to be a tough one both because of the flu strain that is making of the majority of the cases and the fact that some of the virus strains do not match the vaccine produced for this flu season.

According to state officials, the virus changed since the vaccine was formulated.

Howeer, state officials said the single most effective way to prevent the flu is the flu vaccine.

Other tips to avoid the flu include covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing and staying home if you are sick until fever-free for at least 24 hours.