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Local News - December 2003 |
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Lincoln feeling flu bug |
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Published December 5, 2003 |
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By SARAH GRANO, Staff Writer ———————————— Recent cold weather has brought sniffles, coughing and a heavy onset of the flu. Flu season started earlier and is coming on stronger this year, said State Health Director Leah Devlin. Many are sick in Lincoln County, although it has not reached the level of more metropolitan areas. Lincolnton High School had 86 students absent on Thursday, some of the absences were due to the flu. “I don’t think we’re experiencing what we’re seeing in the bigger areas yet, but I anticipate we’ll see it,” said Brian Simpson, an assistant principal at Lincolnton High School. Flu cases in North Carolina have already been recorded at the level of last year’s peak, and that peak did not take place until mid March. Those who have already become sick are encouraged to stay home until they recover. Washing hands frequently and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing could also prevent the spread of the sickness. “You’re spraying the virus when you cough and sneeze,” said Shannon Alfaro, an immunization nurse at the Lincoln County Health Department. “A lot of people know that, but I think they sometimes forget.” Alfaro encourages those who have not become sick, including children, to get flu shots as a means of prevention. The flu shots take up to two weeks to become effective. “It’s not going to protect you right off, so I definitely suggest getting it right now before you get into all the family gatherings,” Alfaro said. “We don’t know that the strain people are getting right now is the one that’s covered under the flu shot this year, but any protection is better than none.” If someone who has had a flu shot gets sick, their symptoms will be less severe than if they had taken no precautions. For those who do become sick, a visit to the doctor’s office could provide much needed relief. “It’s really just reducing the symptoms,” Alfaro said. “It’s not going to make you well.” People older than the age of six months with chronic health problems and all those older than 50 especially need to get flu shots, according to the State Health Department. ————— Staff Writer Sarah Grano can be reached at 704-735-3031 or alicesmith@ltnews.com
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