The flu season made its way into Louisiana earlier than expected, and it appears this time the virus has come with a vengeance.
As many have already discovered, having the flu is not fun. Laura Broadhurst, Chief Nursing Officer at Champion Medical Center, pointed out a few key things to look for when you start feeling sick.
“[The flu] causes symptoms: fever, cough, sneezing, sore throat, muscle ache, fatigue,” said Broadhurst. 
The H3N2 virus, or influenza A, has been the most common this season. The last time that this strain dominated was in 2012, and, because of the hardness of this strain, the CDC expects this flu season to be a severe one. Although the flu is widespread in Louisiana, there are ways to protect yourself. 
“You can protect yourself from the flu with the flu vaccine,” explained L. Lee Montgomery, M.D., Board Certified Physician at Louisiana Family Medicine. “The flu vaccine is not perfect. It doesn’t protect from all the flu strains, but it’s the best thing we have.”
Even if you come down with the flu after you have had the flu vaccine, the vaccine has the ability to lessen your symptoms and shorten the duration of your illness.
“It’s important for people like you and me to get the flu vaccine so that we do not serve as a vector to pass the influenza virus on,” Montgomery said.
The flu is here so make sure that you stay protected. Check out your local pharmacy, doctor, or the LSU Student Health Center for more information on vaccinations.