Why, yes…yes we are seeing the flu. In the middle of summer! In fact, we have seen influenza A and B intermittently yet sparsely thru the summer. Recently, however, the number of cases seems to be rising.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity has remained in Texas but at low numbers through the summer months. Is it possible that testing has become easier to perform and therefore ill patients are more likely to be tested with typical viral symptoms? In past years, simple summer colds that we coughed up (pardon the pun…) to everyday limited-symptom viruses could have been the flu!
We ordered so many flu-testing supplies last year that we had a few extra to test suspect feverish patients this summer. Our clinic treated at least three Influenza B and one Influenza A (more serious flu) cases over these summer months. Everyone did just fine and the drug, Tamiflu certainly helped to shorten duration and severity of flu symptoms. However, the flu and its treatment should not be taken lightly. Studies from the Lancet Respiratory Medicine March 2014, demonstrated that Tamiflu can decrease the risk of flu deaths in half when begun within 48 hours of symptoms.
While the Texas heat may stifle your flu concerns, if you get achy, feverish, and start coughing, take a trip to your medical provider. Don’t be shy about requesting a flu test, because the flu could be in you!