The Flu Epidemic Headed To Amarillo

Over the past few weeks I'm sure you have encountered at least one person who had the flu.  The flu is spreading quickly and is heading for the Amarillo area.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that this is the flu season in ten years.   And this is because the season hasn't hit it's peak yet.  The flu season is usually between November and March.

Across the US, hospitals are being over filled with people affected by the flu.  Some hospitals are even setting up tent triages outside to treat the flu patients.

Amarillo has saw more than 300 positive cases of the flu during the Christmas week alone.  Fifty of those had to be hospitalized.

If you think you may be getting sick, here are the flu symptoms:

Headache, Fever, Tiredness, Aches, Runny or Stuffy Nose, Sore Throat, Coughing and Vomiting.

If you have these symptoms, then you may have the flu and need to contact your doctor immediately.

There are ways to prevent the flu.

■ Get a flu vaccine every year as soon as it becomes available to the public.

■ Wash hands regularly and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

■ Cover coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, shirt sleeves or arms.

■ Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.

■ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

And most importantly, stay home if you are sick!  Don't spread your germs to those that are healthy.  Be responsible and stay home. And if you are sick, quarantine yourself away from the rest of your family, especially kids.

Let's stop the flu epidemic from spreading!