FREDERICK, MD - Health officials say this flu season is the earliest and strongest in five years. At Frederick Memorial Hospital it's proven to be deadly.
The hospital confirmed one elderly man died after complications from having the flu, but doctors say he did have pre-existing health conditions.
The hospital confirmed one elderly man died after complications from having the flu, but doctors say he did have pre-existing health conditions.
"Nobody really dies of the flu. What happens is they get very weak from the flu, and then if they have other medical problems, especially typically older folks, nursing home folks, they end up most commonly getting pneumonia on top of the flu. That would be the typical way someone dies from the flu," says Dr. Manuel Casiano, Chief Medical Officer with Frederick Memorial Hospital.
In most cases, doctors compare the flu to the common cold. They say treat it with rest and lots of sleep and fluids, but warn people to go to a hospital if you have a high fever or trouble breathing.
"It's certainly more dangerous, and mostly it's more dangerous because it makes you feel so much worse and your fever is higher," adds Dr. Casiano.
The top way to protect yourself is by getting the flu vaccination, and by washing your hands multiple times a day and not touching your face.
"Anyone aged six-months or older should receive the flu vaccine," says Dr. Jacqueline Douge, with the Frederick Health Department.
This flu season doctors say it's so important to watch where your hands are, especially when it comes to touching public things like gas pumps. The controversial questions is, can the shot give you the flu?
"Actually, the flu shot cannot give you the flu. A lot of people, right after they get the flu shot, they suddenly get the flu and they think it's from the shot. In reality it takes about two weeks for the flu shot to build up your immune system, so in those two weeks you're no more protected than if hadn't gotten the shot," explains Dr. Casiano.
So when it comes to beating the odds, remember you have a two out of three chances of avoiding the flu if you get the shot.
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