Flu Season in Metro Atlanta — Yes, It's Bad!

This article originated on Snellville Patch

The flu has hit early and hard this season in Georgia. Nationwide, 41 out of 50 states are reporting widespread flu. 

Flu season doesn't typically begin until February. According to Google Flu Trends, the current flu season in the Atlanta-area is "intense." 

Anecdotally, one particular strain of flu going around Snellville seems to be rougher than usual: it lasts 5-8 days, and has symptoms that include a high fever (between 101 and 105 in both adults and children), aches and pain in the legs and hips, a cough, sore throat and fatigue, followed by a few days of what seems like a cold, with swollen lymph nodes.

(Writer's note: My family and I all had this strain, as did multiple families close to us.)

“While we can’t say for certain how severe this season will be, we can say that a lot of people are getting sick with influenza and we are getting reports of severe illness and hospitalizations,” said Dr. Joe Bresee, Chief of the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch in CDC’s Influenza Division. “Reports of influenza-like-illness (ILI) are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons."

Another bug that's going around is a 24-hour stomach bug, which includes vomiting and diarrhea. 

If you feel that you're coming down with these symptoms, you can take over-the-counter medications like Tamiflu, Relenza, or Tylenol Cold and Flu. A heating pad for the aches and pains does wonders, as does a humidifier for the cough. And don't forget to drink lots of water or tea. 

Do what you can to lower that fever too, including cool baths, an over-the-counter fever reducer and cool rag.

Flu spreads via infected people coughing, sneezing or even talking, though people can also get infected by touching something with the flu virus on it before touching their mouth, eyes or nose. If you don't feel good, stay home, because it's very contagious.

While around 5.5 percent of all doctor's visits in Georgia are for the flu-like symptoms, hospitals recommend that you do not go to the emergency room for them. 

Officials say it's not too late to get a flu vaccine, although it takes a couple of weeks to build up immunity, according to FOX. 

Snellville residents who want to get vaccinated can do so at multiple Publix, Kroger, Walgreens,Target, CVS and Rite-Aid locations. You can also stop by Southeast Urgent Care. 

Read the rest of this story on Snellville Patch.