LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — (KTHV) – Doctors in Arkansas say flu activity is starting to pick up again after clinics see a spike in patients.
Several school campuses in Arkansas have been affected so far, including the Batesville School District which is closed Friday, Feb. 8, because of excessive illness.
"The early part of the flu season was relatively mild but we're paying for it this last few weeks,” Dr. Wendell Pahls said.
Dr. Wendell Pahls oversees the emergency room at Baptist Health in Little Rock. He said the emergency department has treated more patients for the flu than it did last month.
"For us its mostly the elderly or folks with underlying health troubles,” he said.
But he said overall people's symptoms are not as bad as they were last year.
"Most folks got their flu shots this year. I think that's one of the reasons it hasn't been as bad as it could've been in the past,” he said.
He said since flu season is starting to pick up again, staying home if you feel sick is the best thing you can do.
"If you are relatively healthy with the flu, the treatment is supportive. Over the counter medications, Tylenol, an anti-inflammatory,” Dr. Pahls said.
Nurse Practitioner Amy Meyer at MedExpress in West Little Rock says the clinic has also seen an uptick in patients.
"I think we're up about six percent from previous weeks,” Meyer said.
She said the Arkansas clinics are seeing more cases of the flu than any other states. 20 states have MedExpress.
"Typically it's sudden onset fever, headache, body aches, fatigue and extreme exhaustion,” Meyer said.
Meyer says there's also a common cold going around, but if you have a high fever along with it, it is likely the flu.
"Yes you should get seen if you feel like it's the flu because you don't want to spread it to other people,” she said.
Dr. Pahls said if you have not had your flu shot yet, it is not too late. He said even if you still end up getting the flu, the shot will help relieve symptoms.