MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW)- Myrtle Beach and Florence rank top 10 in the nation for flu activity, according the Walgreens Flu Index. The report is updated weekly and uses prescription sales numbers.
The Centers for Disease Control states flu activity increased across the entire U.S. February 14-20.
“We thought we were pretty much over the hump this year,” said Dr. Ron Reynolds.
He says it was a relatively slow flu season, until recently.
“It was like somebody turned the light switch on all of the sudden all of the flu cases started rolling in within a matter of two to three days,” described Reynolds.
DHEC research confirms the virus is spreading. During week 5 (Jan.31-Feb. 6) DHEC reported almost 785 laboratory-confirmed cases of flu in South Carolina. The number steadily rises to 874 cases in week 6 (Feb. 7-13) and more than doubles to 2,413 cases in week 7 (Feb.14-20).
“People are still susceptible,” stated Reynolds. “We know it’s there.
However, he expects the overall number of flu cases to be lower than last year.
“Some seasons you’ll see two or three strains that will go through. This year since it came on so late we’ve really just kind of been dealing with on strain,” he said.
According to Reynolds, the most common flu symptom this year is a cough.
“We’ve been seeing people that have had these coughs that have been lasting 2 to 3 weeks,” he said.
Although the season ends in April, Reynolds says its not too late to get a flu shot.