The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Opinion

Discussion

January 10, 2013

Flu cases up in Oklahoma, throughout the United States

Enid News and Eagle

ENID, Okla. — Flu season is hitting Oklahoma hard.

In the past week, the number of confirmed cases and the number of flu-related deaths has increased. Six more people died in the past week, bringing the number of flu-related deaths to eight this flu season.

The number of people hospitalized statewide because of the flu more than doubled, from 171 to 345.

Those numbers, which come from Oklahoma Health Department, stand out when compared to last year’s numbers. Last year, 316 people were hospitalized because of the flu, and nine people died of flu-related causes.

Nationwide, the story is the same. The flu is hitting people hard.

The big questions are what can you do to not get sick, and what can you do if you do get the flu.

According to Oklahoma Health Department, the best way to protect against flu is to get the flu vaccine. Many local county health departments, pharmacies and health care providers still have vaccine, and health officials urge all people 6 months of age and older to get the vaccine.

Symptoms may include fever, cough, runny nose, head and body aches and fatigue. Some people also suffer vomiting and diarrhea, and some develop pneumonia or other severe complications.

Most people with flu have a mild illness and can help themselves and protect others by staying home and resting. People with severe symptoms should see a doctor, and they may be given antiviral drugs or other medications to ease symptoms.

We hope everyone stays healthy, and if you haven’t yet, get a flu shot. And, if you get the flu, don’t return to work until you are well. There’s no need to risk your friends and co-workers.

Text Only
Opinion
Featured Ads
AP Video
Raw: Massive Protests Fill Brazilian Streets Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin 3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29 Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
NDN Video
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent' WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child "Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
Seasonal Content
House Ads