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Doctors: Flu Season is a Little Scary
But over the last week, pediatricians have started to see more flu. They say the usual treatments may not work.
Aches and pains brought Stephanie Tyler to the doctor. But she isn't just concerned about her own health.
"My daughter is at school and my other daughter is at daycare. You just wonder whether they are going to bring something home or take something to the other children, so you really want to take precautions," said Tyler, a mother of two.
Pediatrician Rick Smith saw two siblings with Type A Influenza last week. This week, he says there were two more cases and two cases of a less common but more serious Type B influenza.
"Two of the cases had been treated with the flu mist, the flu vaccine, and it seemed to march through them. I don't know if it's a fortune of things to come but it's a little scary," said Dr. Smith, a pediatrician at Vestavia Pediatrics
Dr. Smith also says Tamiflu, the medicine used to treat Type A, hasn't worked on the West Coast where more flu cases have been reported. He recommends staying out of crowded areas and still getting the flu shot.
"It's never too late. If you were considering it, I'd still get it from your health department, pediatrician, or adult doctor," said Dr. Smith.
Dr. Amanda Cava of Brookwood Primary Care in Hoover is offering similar advice. She has seen more upper respiratory infections in adults, which hit people hard for a few days with aches, a low fever and sore throat.
"Washing your hands. Definitely not going to work or school if you're sick," said Dr. Cava.
Tyler says those precautions have kept her children out of the doctor's office.
"We've been very fortunate because we've never had the flu at our house," said Tyler.
Doctors say if you don't have access to soap and water, hand sanitizer is a good alternative.
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