Flu widespread across Massachusetts, officials say
Flu widespread across Massachusetts, officials say
WEBVTT FLU IS NOW CONSIDEREED WIDESPREAD IN MASSACHUSETTS. MANY PEOPLE WITH SYMPTOMS ARE HEADING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, BUT HOSPITALS SAY THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS TO GET TREATED. NEWSCENTER FIVE’S MARY SALADNA IS LIVE IN WEYMOUTH WITH THAT MESSAGE. MARY: YOU CAN CERTAINLY CALL YOUR OWN DOCTOR OR WALK IN TO ONE OF THE MANY URGENT CARE CENTERS NOW OPERATING LIKE THIS ONE HERE ON THE SOUTH SHORE. THE GOOD NEWS, SO FAR, WE ARE NOT SEEING THE TYPE OF EXTREME FLU CASES WE SAW LAST YEAR. YOU’LL REMEMBER, THE FLU VACCINE WAS ONLY MODERATELY EFFECTIVE LAST YEAR, AND WE HAD AN AGGRESSIVE STRAIN OF INFLUENZA, THAT RESULTED IN A LOT MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATH THIS YEAR, THE CDC IS EXPECTING THE VACCINE WILL BE A BETTER MATCH. THE EXPERTS ARE ENCOURAGING YOU GET A FLU SHOT, THERE’S PLENTY OF TIME SINCE FLU PEAKS IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH. AND BE PROACTIVE IF YOU START FEELING SICK. >> IF YOU HAVE IT AND IT SMILED, YOU CAN STAY HOME. IF YOU WANT, QUICKLY SEE YOUR DOCTOR BECAUSE YOU’VE GOT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR IN THE FIRST KID OF DAYS IF YOU WANT TO TAKE AN ANTIVIRAL. MARY: URGENT CARE CENTERS DO STOCK TAMIFLU, SO THEY CAN HELP YOU LESSEN THE DURATION OF YOUR ILLNESS. OF COURSE YOU SHOULD GO TO A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM IF YOU’RE PRESENTING EXTREME SYMPTOMS SUCH AS TROUBLE BREATHING OR DEHYDRATION. AND AS ALWAYS, THE 2 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS, WASH YOUR HANDS, AND COVER YOUR CO
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Flu widespread across Massachusetts, officials say
The flu is once again widespread across Massachusetts, health officials said. Here are some options for treatment that don't involve the emergency room.
The flu is once again widespread across Massachusetts, health officials said. Here are some options for treatment that don't involve the emergency room.
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