Flu cases start to trickle in before season starts

Although the flu season doesn't technically kick off until November, a few isolated cases have been reported already, according to Brevard County Health Department epidemiologist Barry Inman. 

Inman said his department is getting ready after last year's season, which he described as "incredibly active." 

"We usually have deaths every year. We can't know the actual number, but what we got reported was at least 10 deaths" in Brevard County, Inman said. "You have deaths every year with the flu." 

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Between 5 and 20 percent of the population are bound to get the flu each year, according to Inman. Of those who get it, one in 1,000 die. Those deaths aren't always directly attributable to the flu, especially when victims are older and could have other health conditions, Inman said. 

Local health officials work with hospitals, clinics and doctors around the county to tally the number of flu cases in Brevard each year. 

Like every year, Inman said, "the flu will come, and very likely we will have some deaths, so please get vaccinated." 

Flu vs. cold

• The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses.
• The flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more common and intense.
• Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can tell if a person has the flu.
• The symptoms of flu can include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue (tiredness). Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Preventing flu

• Get a flu vaccine 
• Wash hands regularly
• Avoid contact with those who are sick
• Avoid touching eyes, mouth
• Stay home if presenting flu-like symptoms 
• Talk to doctor about antiviral drugs 

Source: Florida Department of Health

Contact Vazquez at tvazquez@floridatoday.com, 321-917-7491 or on Twitter @tyler_vazquez.