Fewer flu cases after holiday season in Baldwin County
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WPMI) — Schools in the area saw a spike in absences due to the flu right before the Christmas holiday and now it seems things are beginning to calm down.
In Baldwin County the exact number of excused absences were not made available, however local doctors say they agree things are getting better.
Between 9.7 million and 14 million people have been stricken with the flu as of January 4, according to the latest CDC data. Officials say if this season stays on the track it's on it's set to be one of the worst in decades.
That’s the bad news and even though Alabama is listed today as one of 46 states experiencing widespread flu activity, hospitals in Baldwin County and most pediatricians say they've seen a change as of this week.
"I would say that since school is back in session it's not quite as bad as it was before the holidays, but we are still seeing a fair number of sick patients," said Dr. Katrina Skinner a Fairhope Pediatrician.
Schools are also reporting fewer excused absences, but still there's a lot of sick people out there. Every family has a different story.
"My daughter ended up with the flu. She ran a fever for about two days and then was okay. Hers didn’t last very long, but working in health care I've seen a really bad flu season this year," said Susan Oglesby.
"We kept it in the family - a cold. My oldest daughter had it, then I got it, then my youngest daughter got it, but nothing like the flu," said Nell Calloway of Robertsdale.
Washing your hands, wiping down surfaces, staying home if you are sick and getting the flu shot are simple things that could save your life.
"Some kids have definitely been sicker compare to what we might think of as the average flu. Fortunately, kids who get their vaccination are not going to be as sick as kids who aren’t vaccinated," said Dr. Skinner.
The flu season usually runs from October into early Spring.
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