Winter may be long gone, but the flu season isn’t.
Reports of the flu and other upper-respiratory conditions are on the rise in some parts of the country.
The flu is different from a cold, and usually comes on suddenly.
Most of the northeast section of the country is experiencing widespread flu, including Ohio, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Buckeye State has held that designation since February 27.
"You can have upper respiratory symptoms, cough, fever, headache, body aches, as well as stomach issues, diarrhea, throwing up,” said Crystal Tarou, a nurse practitioner.
If the flu is caught early enough, anti-viral medication like Tamiflu can be prescribed to help you beat the illness faster.
Tarou says the patients she’s seen with the worst cases are those who did not get a flu shot.
"I've seen if you have the flu vaccine, your symptoms are not as severe, they're recovering quicker."
Flu is very contagious, and most healthy adults can infect other people before they even know they’re sick. That’s why prevention is so important.
"Make sure you get your flu vaccine, as well as getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercise is always good as well"
Upper-respiratory infections are also being seen in higher numbers.
About 80 percent are viral, and symptomatic treatment is the best way to manage it.
