Flu cases surge to very ‘high levels’ in Missouri

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Flu is rising rapidly in the U.S, with cases reaching "very high" levels in Missouri, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Northwest and Eastern Missouri have reported the highest number of flu cases this season, with 2,433 cases recorded in Northwest Missouri.

Currently, Buchanan County has reached a total of 568 flu cases, according to the St. Joseph Health Department.

The new strain, Subclade K, has been spreading faster than previous flu strains. Common flu symptoms include chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.

Dr. Cynthia Brownfield, a physician of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Mosaic Life Care, said we are seeing a lot of cases this year because the current strain is not in the flu vaccine.

"They have to develop the vaccine months in advance," she said. "So any virus can mutate, and the H3N2 strain did mutate. So it's not necessary that it's a more severe starian. its that fact that people aren't going be as protected because it's a little different than what was prep for the flu vaccine."

Dr. Brownfield said multiple groups are at risk of flu.

"Your highest risk flu is anybody over the age of 65, people with diabetes, asthma, a compromised immune system, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease. Childern under 12 months of age, they can have a really tough time with the flu," she said.

Dr. Brownfield said the biggest challenge doctors and nurses face during this time is the misinformation about the flu vaccine.

"Not look at these Facebook and social media posts that are posting incorrect information. You cannot get sick from the flu vaccine. It is not the full flu virus that is in the vaccine. It's just a small portion for your immune system," she said. "So you do get an immune reaction which is normal. Sometimes you can run a fever with that, but you don't actually get the flu from it."

Dr. Brownfield said the more people who get their flu vaccine we won't see mutational threats.

"When you get the flu, that flu virus replicates in your system and that gives the flu virus more time to mutate. So then you can see this crazy outbreak of a flu strain.

Kristi Billings, interim clinic supervisor, said you can avoid getting the flu by using proper hygiene.

"Washing your hands, avoiding touching surfaces and making sure they're covering their mouths when coughing," she said.

Dr. Brownfield said that with any virus, handwashing is extremely important.

"We touch something that has a flu virus on it, and then we put it into our system. The way we put it into our system is through our eyes, nose and mouth," she said. "Unless you have some coughing directly in your face, and you can't really help that. But you can wash your hands before you touch your face."

Billing said common medications and drinking lots of fluids can help with symptoms.

"You can use Tylenol, ibuprofen, decongestants, cough drops and lots of fludis.

Billings said this year they been seeing a lower number of people getting vaccinated.

"Although it doesn't prevent you from getting the flu, it does minimize the symptoms, it minimizes the time frame you are ill so it wouldn't be a bad idea to get the flu vaccine and try to minimize some these numbers we might see them going back down," she said.

St. Joseph's health department offers free flu shots until the end of June.