Flu activity higher in Kentucky than this time last year

KENTUCKY (WKYT) - Flu season is starting early in Kentucky, and state health officials say they are already seeing more flu activity than they did at this time last year.

Dr. Steven Stack said the flu can cause fever, body aches and exhaustion.

“The flu is a miserable disease for most people. They can have high fever, 104 degrees or more. You can have full body aches, and just feel absolutely crummy, right? So it’s something none of us really want to get,” Stack said.

Cases higher than last year

The state said weekly lab-confirmed flu detections were more than 20 times higher than the same week last year.

October alone saw more than 1,000 new cases, bringing the state total to nearly 1,500.

Dr. Morgan Blanton, chief medical officer of Baptist Health Richmond, said it is still too early to tell how the rest of the season will unfold.

“Earlier flu doesn’t mean we’ll necessarily have a worse flu season, but it’s certainly important enough that we should be talking about how to prevent it and treat it and recognize the signs,” Blanton said.

Flu shot and risk factors

Doctors say one way to help protect against the flu is to get a flu shot. The shot may not keep a person from getting sick, but it can help protect against serious complications, according to doctors.

Young children, older adults and people with certain health conditions are among those at higher risk of serious illness.

The CDC recommends a flu vaccine every year for everyone 6 months and older.

Staying home when sick

Stack said staying home when sick can help protect the people around you.

“The kindest thing we can do for folks is if you know you are sick, please stay home. Don’t go to work, don’t go to school, don’t spread disease knowingly, and you should stay home until you’re fever free without being on medicines for at least 24 hours and generally feel like you’re improving,” Stack said.