Doctor gives tips regarding deadly flu season

This year’s flu season is one of the worst. To date, the state Department of Health has recorded 109 deaths in Washington – 23 in Snohomish County, the highest of all counties statewide.

And the worst may be yet to come as flu season typically peaks in February and may continue through May.

Dr. Eric Wall, market medical director with Pacific Northwest UnitedHealthcare, offers some tips for people who feel ill during flu season.

Dos and don’ts

•Flu-like symptoms – fever, feverish chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and tiredness – start suddenlyand a combination of them means you likely need to be seen by your primary care physician. If you are pregnant, diabetic, immunocompromised or experience shortness of breath, such as chronic asthma or health failure, you should seek immediate medical care.

•Do still get your flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s not too late. Primary care doctors, wellness/convenience clinics and most retail pharmacies can administer a flu shot.

•Don’t visit your local emergency room for a flu shot. Receiving a flu shot in the ER will come with longer wait times and higher out-of-pocket costs.

•Don’t infect others. Stay home. Most healthy adults can infect others one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick, which means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

•To find a flu vaccine provider near you, go to www.cdc.gov/flu and enter your zip code.