Flu outbreak

The flu is sweeping across our nation and it has hit Mississippi extra hard.
News 25’s Payton Malone checked in with state and local health officials about this year’s flu season.
Coughing, body aches, and fever are all flu symptoms. There are plenty to go around in South Mississippi as evidenced by long waits and crowded waiting areas in local clinics. Nurse Practitioner Kimaka Bowens said, “The flu is just being spread so rampantly in our area. I think it is cause to be on alert and for parents to be a little more cautious.”
According to the CDC, nationally, we haven’t seen this many people contacting and dying from the flu since the 2014-2015 flu season. Currently, 49 out of 50 states are reporting widespread flu conditions and 12.2 percent of patients in Mississippi have reported flu-like symptoms. That’s more than double the national average of 5.8 percent.
While there are no reports yet of flu related deaths among children in Mississippi, the virus has caused 20 child deaths nationwide, meaning parents should monitor their children’s health very closely. “Most people don’t run their kids to the doctor as soon as they show signs of sickness because they are so resilient. I can see how the parents can still send them to school,” said Bowens.
Doctors say one of the easiest and oldest tips to help prevent the spread of viruses is by simply washing your hands. It’s simple, but effective.
You can also make sure to wipe down areas that are used frequently. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and staying at home when running a fever. When is it safe to finally be around people? “Follow all precautions until you no longer have the symptoms.”