Flu Season Getting Worse
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: January 8, 2013
"To be honest with you, I haven't been sick in six years. I did catch a cold last year, but I haven't been taken out this bad in six years," said John Massaro, works at Mayer Paint and Hardware.
"I usually get a couple of colds a year but usually not that bad that I have to call off work. This one was definitely a step above the rest," said Dennis McCarthy, works at Mayer Paint and Hardware.
At Mayer Paint and Hardware, several employees had to miss work because of the flu. They aren't alone. Tru Salon on Park Avenue is another one on the list.
"Guests are definitely mentioning a lot about the flu. We have had a lot of appointments we had to rearrange or reschedule for people which is totally fine, but we are definitely seeing that," said Stacey Jones, Tru Salon Manager.
Doctors at Unity Health System aren't surprised. They haven't seen the flu this severe in the last ten years. The hospital has seven inpatients diagnosed with the flu who are all in isolation.
"One unique thing about the flu is you can't predict what is going to happen. You cannot predict severity. You cannot predict the duration of the flu season," said Dr. Nayef El Daher of Unity Hospital.
Without a clear prediction, doctors say they don't know how bad it could get. One thing is certain. Hospitals are full.
It's a rare sight at Unity Hospital. With no rooms left in the emergency room, patients are scattered in the hallways.
The flu should be taken seriously, but doctors say you don't have to always go to the hospital. An urgent care or primary physician can also treat it.
"We try to educate the public and also the people around us that not all patients with the flu should be coming to the emergency room or be admitted to the hospital. The majority of the people we can treat as an outpatient. Just give them medication and send them home and it will last for a few days," said Dr. Nayef El Daher.
So what can you do to avoid the flu? Getting the vaccine could be your best bet. It's not a full proof method but it gives 60 to 70 percent more protection.
"It's good to have the flu shot because it can actually make it a milder attack, not as bad as before, even if you are not going to prevent it 100 percent, this can really make it less severe," said Dr. Nayef El Daher.
The peak of the flu season usually hits mid-January into February, but eight days into January, it's proving to be a bad season.
"I'm noticing people coughing and sneezing everywhere I go. It doesn't matter. It could be walking down the street, at a restaurant, no matter where you are going these days," said Massaro.
"I usually get a couple of colds a year but usually not that bad that I have to call off work. This one was definitely a step above the rest," said Dennis McCarthy, works at Mayer Paint and Hardware.
At Mayer Paint and Hardware, several employees had to miss work because of the flu. They aren't alone. Tru Salon on Park Avenue is another one on the list.
"Guests are definitely mentioning a lot about the flu. We have had a lot of appointments we had to rearrange or reschedule for people which is totally fine, but we are definitely seeing that," said Stacey Jones, Tru Salon Manager.
Doctors at Unity Health System aren't surprised. They haven't seen the flu this severe in the last ten years. The hospital has seven inpatients diagnosed with the flu who are all in isolation.
"One unique thing about the flu is you can't predict what is going to happen. You cannot predict severity. You cannot predict the duration of the flu season," said Dr. Nayef El Daher of Unity Hospital.
Without a clear prediction, doctors say they don't know how bad it could get. One thing is certain. Hospitals are full.
It's a rare sight at Unity Hospital. With no rooms left in the emergency room, patients are scattered in the hallways.
The flu should be taken seriously, but doctors say you don't have to always go to the hospital. An urgent care or primary physician can also treat it.
"We try to educate the public and also the people around us that not all patients with the flu should be coming to the emergency room or be admitted to the hospital. The majority of the people we can treat as an outpatient. Just give them medication and send them home and it will last for a few days," said Dr. Nayef El Daher.
So what can you do to avoid the flu? Getting the vaccine could be your best bet. It's not a full proof method but it gives 60 to 70 percent more protection.
"It's good to have the flu shot because it can actually make it a milder attack, not as bad as before, even if you are not going to prevent it 100 percent, this can really make it less severe," said Dr. Nayef El Daher.
The peak of the flu season usually hits mid-January into February, but eight days into January, it's proving to be a bad season.
"I'm noticing people coughing and sneezing everywhere I go. It doesn't matter. It could be walking down the street, at a restaurant, no matter where you are going these days," said Massaro.
