Local hospital seeing large numbers of flu patients
By: Jade Cunningham
Updated: January 10, 2013
This year's flu outbreak has many in Shreveport doing what they can to stay healthy.
The average person touches their face about 200 times per day. So the most important thing that doctors will tell you, is to just be aware of what and who is around you.
Doctors at LSU Health Sciences Hospital are starting to realize just how big this year's flu outbreak is.
"We're seeing a ton of patients," said LSU's Chief of Emergency Medicine Barrett Bradt. "About 25% of patients in our waiting room are patients with flu like symptoms."
And while they're not sure why it's turned into one of the nation's worst years on record, they warn no one is protected.
"These patients aren't anymore sick then they've been in previous years. We're just seeing more of them. We're actually seeing and treating a lot of our subspecialists, a lot of our surgeons. Everyone is coming in sick and they all are getting the flu as well."
There are a few things you can do to stay clear of the flu.
"Hygiene is important, handwashing, cleaning areas, Lysol at home."
But the best way to protect yourself, is to get the shot.
"It's very important you get the flu vaccine as soon as possible. We're ramping up towards peak season and as long as there's opportunity out there to get the flu shot, as long as the vaccine is available, I encourage everyone get it."
And if you do get sick, Bradt says you'll just have to let it run its course.
"The flu is terrible. You're going to feel bad, you're going to feel poorly, you're not going to want to go to work and that's fine, don't. Stay home!"
Again, health officials warn the peak of the flu season hasn't even hit yet, so you should do what you can to prepare for it now. If you find yourself with any symptoms Bradt says you need to stay home, drink fluids, and take Tylenol or Motrin.
The average person touches their face about 200 times per day. So the most important thing that doctors will tell you, is to just be aware of what and who is around you.
Doctors at LSU Health Sciences Hospital are starting to realize just how big this year's flu outbreak is.
"We're seeing a ton of patients," said LSU's Chief of Emergency Medicine Barrett Bradt. "About 25% of patients in our waiting room are patients with flu like symptoms."
And while they're not sure why it's turned into one of the nation's worst years on record, they warn no one is protected.
"These patients aren't anymore sick then they've been in previous years. We're just seeing more of them. We're actually seeing and treating a lot of our subspecialists, a lot of our surgeons. Everyone is coming in sick and they all are getting the flu as well."
There are a few things you can do to stay clear of the flu.
"Hygiene is important, handwashing, cleaning areas, Lysol at home."
But the best way to protect yourself, is to get the shot.
"It's very important you get the flu vaccine as soon as possible. We're ramping up towards peak season and as long as there's opportunity out there to get the flu shot, as long as the vaccine is available, I encourage everyone get it."
And if you do get sick, Bradt says you'll just have to let it run its course.
"The flu is terrible. You're going to feel bad, you're going to feel poorly, you're not going to want to go to work and that's fine, don't. Stay home!"
Again, health officials warn the peak of the flu season hasn't even hit yet, so you should do what you can to prepare for it now. If you find yourself with any symptoms Bradt says you need to stay home, drink fluids, and take Tylenol or Motrin.
