Flu Season Arrives In Central Fla.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Physicians at Centra Care reported a big increase in the number of cases of influenza in Central Florida.A total of 216 patients were diagnosed with influenza during the last week of December. Four weeks ago, just 28 cases were recorded.Duncan Dewahl said he hasn’t been feeling well.”It makes me worry. I haven’t had any flu shots, and I don’t ever take those, so I’ll check myself out early before it gets worse,” Dewahl said.Centra Care Dr. Tim Hendrix said a flu shot is the best protection against influenza.”Even though we’re starting to see a lot of cases of flu out there, and it’s really starting to get going,” Hendrix said. “Now is the time to get your flu shot.”It may take a week or two to build up the antibodies, but Hendrix said the protection will last for the rest of the season — and it will protect against seasonal flu and swine flu.”We’re recommending the shot for everybody. the high-risk groups that are really encouraged to get it (are those) over the age of 65, have a chronic medical condition like heart disease or asthma, congestive heart failure, anything that would put you at risk for complications from the flu,” Hendrix said.Young children, pregnant women and health care workers are also considered at risk.the symptoms of influenza include muscle aches, fever, headache, coughing and fatigue.

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