Did you get a flu shot? There is still time to get the flu vaccine, even though, according to multiple reports by media, the current flu vaccine does not meet the current virus that is causing the flu epidemic in Connecticut.
We called the Stratford Health Department to see if they had specific numbers for Stratford, and were told that they do not track Stratford. But according to Walter Owusu, MPH, Health Educator, Stratford Health Department, to date over 25,000 people in CT have come down with the flu. By the numbers, that is 1 out of every 144 residents. All flu information indicates that it lasts between 7-10 days.
To track down the information that Bridgeport Hospital was inundated with flu cases, a call to Amanda Raus, Bridgeport Hospital Media Coordinator, confirmed that last week the number of patients with flu symptoms was high (70), but that so far this week they are not seeing too many cases (13). She noted that last week was overwhelming.
The Stratford Health Department has ceased flu clinics, and do not have a large inventory of flu vaccines. Their advice is to go to your local pharmacy for the vaccine.
Do I have a cold or the flu? The following information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) may help:
Key Flu Symptoms
Fever or feeling feverish/chills: A high temperature is common but not always present.
Body aches: Widespread muscle pain and weakness.
Fatigue: Extreme tiredness and feeling run down.
Cough: Often dry and persistent.
Headache: Can be intense.
Sore throat: Pain or irritation in the throat.
Runny or stuffy nose: Congestion.
According to the CDC, what makes it different from a cold is:
- Suddenness: Flu symptoms hit quickly and hard, while colds build gradually.
- Severity: Flu makes you feel much worse, often debilitating you.
- Fever & Aches: Higher fever and more intense body aches are classic flu signs.
Don’t trust your own instincts? There are at home flu tests that you can purchase from a pharmacy. The tests are somewhat like the Covid tests we all used during the Covid outbreak.
Best advice, the usual:
- Drink plenty of liquids
- Rest
- OTC pain relievers, e.g. Tylenol
- Soups and other light meals
- Do not take aspirin
The flu lasts for 7-10 days. However, you might want to call you doctor and ask them for an antiviral, e.g. Tamiflu. Note: Tamiflu is only effective if you start taking Tamiflu within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Sources: Walter Owusu, MPH, Health Educator, Stratford Health Department
Amanda Raus, Bridgeport Hospital Media Coordinator
