The Flu Bug is Spiking in Winnebago County

If you, or someone in your family has been suffering from a bout with the flu lately, it might not make you feel better, but---you're not alone. It's really going around.

The Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) says a jump from 69 to 254 flu cases within a week has brought about a change in thinking: from treatment to overall prevention. While the WCHD recommends flu shots for everyone, they also point out that following the "Three Cs" can go along way toward keeping the flu at bay.

The Three Cs are:

1. Clean Your Hands
2. Cover Your Cough
3. Contain Your Germs

The WCHD says that we're right in the middle of flu season, a time of year punctuated with flu symptoms such as high fever, headache, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue.

From MyStateline:

From December 10-16, 69 flu cases were reported. From December 17-23, there were 178 flu cases. In the last week of 2017, a whopping 254 cases of influenza were reported. Mercyhealth's Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine Dr. Jason Bredenkamp says people staying in close quarters to stay warm during recent freezing temperatures might have something to do with it.

"It's an easily transmittable virus," said Bredenkamp. "It's spread by respiratory droplets. So, coughing, sneezing without washing your hands."

With anywhere from a month to 6 weeks left in the flu season, this is a great time to follow your doctor's orders when it comes to protecting yourself and your family from the flu. Of the 254 cases reported last week, 118 of them were in the 18-64 age group.