By: Shereen Mohammad
Smohammad@kcautv.com
The Center for Disease Control says 41 states have widespread influenza activity. That is up 25-percent from just two-weeks ago.
Already, 18-children have tragically died, and those numbers will continue rising.
Here in Siouxland the flu is leaving its mark. Matthew Gladden, who is infected with the virus says all he can do is rest.
"Oh, well right now I'm resting, and resting and drinking plenty of fluids, and resting some more," he said. Others like Sharon Junge, took the flu shot in the fall and says folks should be more aware.
"We don't really realize how bad it really is until it starts taking lives, by then it might be too late for some people to combat it," she said.
Now the flu virus came extra early this year. But that was not the only thing unusual about it says Bill Drilling, a local Pharmacist here in the Siouxland area.
"What is making this a little bit worse is that there was a strain that wasn't covered in the vaccine and that's why it's going around right now," he said.
Some of the main symptoms people are suffering from are nausea, fever and congestion to name a few. If you think you may have the flu, health experts say the best thing to do is to see a doctor immediately.
And if you have not gotten your flu shot yet, it is still not too late. Experts say there is at least five-more weeks in this years' flu season.
