No Increase In Flu Cases In Wichita County
By: Lindsey Wopschall
Updated: December 4, 2012
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that suspected flu cases have increased in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
But Wichita Count Health Officials are saying don't panic.
In Wichita County there has only been one reported case of the flu.
And they say that's lower than the state and national averages.
If you haven't had your flu shot yet... You might want to endure the pain and take the poke.
"Our peak season for the flu is right around the corner, right in North Texas, January and February are our big months," said Kay Sabine, a RN at the Wichita Falls Public Health District.
She says if we are to see an increase in flu cases, those months are when we'd see it.
And though national health officials are talking about an earlier flu season, Sabine says that's only "suspected" flu cases.
"What we are seeing right now in the state of Texas is a large increase increase in what we call ILI. which is Influenza Like Illness," Sabine said.
Those with ILI will have a fever of 104 degrees or higher, a cough or a sore throat.
Sabine says these symptoms will make you sick, but are not the flu virus.
CDC officials say Texas is one of the states that is seeing an increase in the virus, but Sabine says Wichita County's numbers do not reflect that.
"Our region here actually has fewer cases, we are below the state and national average for flu cases," she said.
If you are still in need of your flu shot the Wichita Falls Health District still has one more flu clinic.
It's on December 18th from 5 to 6:30 pm.
Sabine says if you are afraid of the needle they do have the the flu mist which takes affect immediately, rather than the shot which takes 2 weeks to come into effect.
