Flu Now Widespread In Louisiana

Sniffling, sneezing, body aches, and fever unfortunately it's what more and more people in Louisiana are experiencing everyday. Flu season is here and Louisiana is the only state in the union that the Centers for Disease Control has officially designated as having a widespread flu outbreak.

Health officials in the state say this is an aggressive start to the flu season. The kind of activity that doctors are seeing in the state is not usually seen until January. Dr. Frank Welch with the State Department of Health and Hospitals explains,

"With more than four to five percent of all visits to doctors being for flu-like symptoms.  So we have started right out of the block with an aggressive flu season here in Louisiana."

The strain of the flu virus that appears to be most prevalent is the H3N2 strain. This strain does not match exactly with the vaccines that are being offered however the current vaccine is quite effective against that strain. Just because the strain has mutated slightly doesn't mean you won't be protected says Dr. Welch.

"It is still H3N2, which is in the vaccine.  You still will get good to partial protection from the vaccine.  So we are still recommending that you get that vaccine."

Dr. Welch's comments were reported in a story published by the Louisiana Radio Network.

Health care providers are encouraging everyone to get a flu shot. Even though it's not 100% in preventing the flu it certainly will increase your odds against getting the flu. After all everyone that gets the flu got it from someone else. By getting the a flu shot you reduce your chances of being the transmitter for the virus and there by reducing its spread throughout the state.