Since late September, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness has recorded nearly 2,000 influenza cases.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — If you’ve been feeling run down and then suddenly much worse, doctors say you could be dealing with this season’s flu strain.
Symptoms such as coughing, fatigue, and body aches are spreading across Kentuckiana as influenza cases continue to rise.
Doctor visits may become more common during the holiday season, as flu activity remains high throughout the region.
Dr. Joshua Brandon, a primary care physician with Norton Healthcare, said flu cases are already significant.
“Last year was actually one of the biggest years in the past decade for influenza,” Brandon said. “This year is tracking maybe a little bit behind that. But still, we’re seeing a significant amount of flu cases coming in. I’ve even seen some today.”
Data from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness shows 1,953 influenza cases reported since the end of September. Cases began increasing in November, with 588 recorded during the week of Dec. 20 alone.
Brandon said flu symptoms often come on suddenly and hit hard.
“The typical flu symptoms — it’s going to be feeling like you’re hit by a bus,” he said. “Fatigue, fevers, chills, body aches, sometimes even difficulty breathing.”
Doctors may prescribe antiviral medications once a patient tests positive.
At Good Brothers Pharmacy in west Louisville, pharmacist Michaela Brooks said she has already filled several prescriptions.
“I have received a couple prescriptions for Tamiflu, which is a medication that commonly treats when people do get the flu,” Brooks said.
Health experts say prevention remains the most effective protection. Brandon recommends getting a flu shot through a primary care provider or local pharmacy.
Although Good Brothers Pharmacy offers the vaccine upon request, Brooks said interest has been limited.
“I haven’t had any patients that have called in looking for the flu shot,” Brooks said. “Overall, patients usually don’t want the flu shots unless they have to for work or because they’re around someone with a low immune system.”
Health officials expect flu cases to keep rising into January.
Brandon urges anyone experiencing fatigue, chills, or body aches to get tested promptly. He also advises people to take precautions during New Year’s celebrations, noting that individuals without symptoms can still spread the flu.
He added that he is currently seeing more COVID-19 cases than flu cases, which he said is unusual.
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