The Alabama Department of Public Health sent out a warning on Monday saying healthcare providers are now reporting that 3.6% of outpatient visits involve signs of an influenza-like illness – with symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue.    

The latest Alabama Influenza Surveillance Map shows “significant” flu activity in about half the state, including – yes – ALL of north Alabama and east central Alabama.  Dr. Karen Landers, the District Medical Officer for the ADPH says this is concerning because influenza can be a serious disease for anyone, especially children and pregnant women; she went on to say that even healthy individuals can get very sick from this flu, then spread it to others.

Landers stressed that it’s not too late to get a flu shot adding that people become protected approximately two weeks after receiving the vaccine.  The Department of Public Health recommendation is for everyone six months and older to receive an annual vaccination.  According to information released Monday, patients should request  the “quadrivalent” vaccine, which protects against four strains of the disease,  Health officials also recommend common-sense measures such as encouraging people to stay home when sick, and washing hands frequently and/or using hand sanitizer.

For additional information contact the Immunization Division of the Alabama Department of Public Health at (334) 206-5023 or toll free at 1-800-469-4599

Also visit their website  at www.alabamapublichealth.gov/immunization.) 

(al.com/www.al.com)