Move over, COVID-19, RSV, Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Norovirus and the Common Cold!

Here comes the flu – unabashed and unafraid and showing no favoritism!  Closely following is COVID-19 and RSV.  A stomach virus (Norovirus) is inching upward at an alarming rate.  Just recently, it was documented that chickenpox cases have been seen in Tennessee,

The statewide numbers for the flu and pneumonia in DeKalb County on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 are 28.01.  The number for Tennessee is 14.89 per 100,000 households.  The total in the United States at this time is 10.53.

These conglomerations of illnesses are a medical intrusion into DeKalb County currently.   Its side-effects are just as menacing, as are the other contagious respiratory and gastric viruses mentioned above.

Just recently, the flu’s traceability and infection rate has jumped from “high” to “very high” in the current levels of local activity.  Tennessee is one of the worst hit states in the nation for flu cases – even before family gatherings and schools recessed for the holidays.  Persons being in close proximity is the major cause of disease transfer, albeit the respiratory and gastric illnesses.

“One of the first signs of the flu is a very high fever,” said Dr. Justin Hooper of Webb’s Pharmacy in downtown Smithville.  “It has been labeled the Type A strain of flu here in this county.”  It will be a while before the correct strain is identified, although Dr. Hooper added “Because there have been so many cases that the vaccine hasn’t touched, it seems like this type is not the one the vaccine initially targeted.”

In simplification, the flu vaccine was formulated to attack other strains (B and C) and not the A strain, which greatly has affected DeKalb County.  This can be addressed by so many flu cases and flu vaccinations that are not receptive to the A strain of influenza.  Any of the three strains of the flu can spread to someone else who is only six (6) feet away.  While the Christmas and New Year’s holidays have come and gone, the flu continues to surge, most notably in Tennessee and its domains.

“We are seeing a surge in children now,” said Dr. Marla Levine of Vanderbilt Medical Center.  “Right now, the flu has come to a very high volume of illness.”  She elaborated that healthy children could well tolerate body temperatures in excess of 103 degrees.  She advised persons in all age groups to seek a physician’s care immediately, as the flu can cause death in some individuals.  Her advice was heeded, as the waiting/patient areas at Vanderbilt Medical Center have been filled to overflowing with sick patients for more than a week.

Personally, the last time I was diagnosed with the flu was in 1981.  It was a time which I would like to forget.  I do remember praying to God that if He would allow me to improve, I would obtain the influenza vaccine yearly.  This I have done faithfully with no flu recurrence.  The flu symptoms were so drastic, I just wanted to die.  I believe it was the sickest that I have ever been in my life.  I didn’t and couldn’t move or eat for days and days.  Even my mouth hurt and was numb.”

In a recent interview for this newspaper, Michiko Howard Martin said, “We have been seeing more than usual cases of the flu recently.”  She is the manager of the local Family Medical Center.

One of the side-effects of the respiratory illnesses is pneumonia.  Another illness is RSV, which attacks the elderly.  Both have vaccines available and both can attack human pulmonic.

“The common cold, the flu, RSV and COVID-19 are viral respiratory infections that spread easily during certain seasons.  These illnesses have many similar symptoms.  Different strains of each virus can appear and change on a yearly basis, thus making the vaccination formation harder to detect and distinguish.

The most common symptoms of the flu are the following and all viruses can cause similar symptoms:
• The flu does not cause vomiting and diarrhea.
• The flu is caused by viruses and is highly contagious.
• A temperature is not 100 degrees.  It is 102.2 for an adult and 102 – 104 for a child.  If either has a fever of 105 or above, immediately go to the hospital’s emergency room.  A rectal temperature is higher than an oral temperature.
• Young children are more contagious longer than adults and symptoms usually last less than one week.
• Oral temperature more than 101 degrees.
• Dry, itchy cough – with or without mucus.
• Muscle and joint aches.
• Fatigue and extreme tiredness.
• Chills or sweats.

Medical experts urge vaccinations in children and in adults to lessen the flu symptoms, which easily can become severe and leading to death.

“If you think you have the flu, be sure to limit contact with others.  Once you’re on the mend, keep in mind that the infection can continue so spread for five to seven days after you get sick, so it’s important to continue taking cautionary measures,” said Dr. Hooper.

Please remember, “Cold weather does NOT cause a cold, but it can increase your chances of getting sick.  Contrary to popular belief, cold weather or being chilled does not cause a cold.  All viruses, including the common cold, are caused from VIRUSES.  Please remember this.  This is probably due to a variety of factors, which increases the risk for exposure to the virus such as being together in schools and during the recent holiday.  More colds do occur during the cold season, which is early fall to late winter.

In repetition, the flu is classified in three sections – A, B, or C.  DeKalb County is in section A, according to Dr. Hooper.

On sad news, if left untreated, the flu can cause:
• Ear infections
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Asthma pain
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Cardiac (heart) issues

In summation, the following viruses are now in DeKalb County.  Their levels of containment are palpable.
• Influenza (Flu)
• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
• Pneumonia
• COVID-19
• Norovirus (vomiting and diarrhea)
• The Common Cold (strep, bronchitis, sinusitis)

Every person with any symptom of any disease is requested by the medical profession to seek a physician’s care immediately.  Infected persons will be systemically and orally tested for the virus.