Over the past few weeks, doctors at Community Care in Pocatello say they have treated an increasing number of patients with the flu.
Summer Joy stopped by to find out how to avoid the virus this season.
The health experts at Community Care see around ten people every day who think they might have the flu. Derek Eddie, a Physician's assistant at Community Care, says that usually seven out of those ten people have the flu.
A few signs to look for include, fever, chills, achy body, cough, and weakness. Eddie suggests the number one preventative measure you can take is to get the flu shot.
"This year its kicked in pretty early, past few years it didn't start kicking in until January and this has been going on on for the last four to six weeks," said Derek Eddie, a physician's assistant at Community Care in Pocatello.
One concern many people have is that the flu shot will cause you to get sick for a few day afterwards, but Eddie says they have changed the formula and the immunization no longer has the active flu virus in it. He also gave a few other tips on how to avoid influenza.
"You can still get flu shots, if you suspect you had suspect you had the flu, you have the potential to pick up more than one type during the flu season," added Eddie.
With so many people now going to the web first, Doctors advise patients to double check the credibility of their sources and if the issue continues to stop by and ask a professional healthcare expert.
