Flu Virus Strikes The Wiregrass
By: Jamiese Price
Updated: January 10, 2013
Doctor's offices and emergency rooms have been full of people suffering from the flu.
The Southeast Alabama Medical Center reports this is the most flu cases they've seen in two years.
Nurse Jan Largess said over the last two months the number of people coming in with the virus has increased by 300 percent.
Doctors contend the flu shot is your best line of the defense against the flu, but some cases of the flu have been so severe the vaccine didn't prevent them.
"Over time the strands can become more prevalent and even though we're vaccinating there still pretty potent out there. That's why we're seeing some break-though cases of flu vaccine where people have been vaccinated. It's important to note that, with that being said that the vaccine will still decrease the severity of the symptoms," explained Largess.
There are flu shots still available at the Houston County Health Department, but the health department is not holding anymore free flu clinics.
The CDC reports, more than 22, 000 cases of the virus since the start of the flu season. That's 26 times more flu cases than just a year ago.
