| Updated: 1/16 10:26 am |
Published: 1/11 5:51 pm
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The Centers for Disease Control says the flu has officially reached epidemic proportions in our country Friday.
Health officials urge everyone to take precautions even if you’ve gotten your flu shot.
The Oklahoma State health department reports eight deaths in the state all of them in Northeastern Oklahoma.
The CDC Reports 47 states are now dealing with widespread cases of the flu.
"My eyes have been hurting, my leg muscles have been cramping, I’ve had a sore throat and my fever's been high sometimes," said 11-year-old Ian Bishop.
The sixth grader describes how sick he's felt for the past two days. Ian didn't get his flu shot and now wishes he did.
"Because you'll come down with this,” he said. “She, my sister talked me out of it."
Ian's sister's fear of needles potentially landed him in the doctor's office. He was prescribed Tamiflu and cough medicine. Oklahoma State Medical Center Doctor Chandini Sharma told FOX23 the flu can take the biggest toll on kids and older adults.
"High fever, leading to dehydration, leading to poor nutrition and suppression of the immunity. Once the suppression happens other bacteria and etc. cause infection," said Dr. Sharma.
She says depending on how severe the infection gets it can be fatal. But the flu won't attack everyone that way.
"If the fevers are very high and people are having nausea or vomiting or signs of dehydration or any respiratory compromise that would be time to go and get a medical evaluation," said Dr. Sharma.
The Tulsa Health Department is offering the flu vaccine on a walk-in basis for $25 Monday through Friday.
