Flu cases up in Austin area

AUSITN (KXAN) - Flu season is here and area hospitals say they’re seeing an influx of patients as a result.

Staffers at Scott and White’s Emergency Room in Round Rock says they are seeing an influx equivalent to about 30 to 40 plus patients coming into their facility with flu-like symptoms/illness.

Dr. David Kaylor with Scott and White’s ER says that they’re seeing at least half of all patients coming into the ER with flu like symptoms/illness. 

Austin hospitals have also seen their fare share of patients coming in with the flu.

Matilda Sanchez with Seton says Brackenridge Hospital say 67 patients complaining of the flue, 10 tested positive. Dell Children’s Hospital tested 400 patients, 100-102 tested positive.

The Williamson County facility tested 90 patients, of those 26 tested positive. Seton Northwest tested 68 patients, 17 were posiotive for the flu and at their Southwest location 44 were tested for the flue, 13 tested positive.

Sanchez says cases at Dell Children’s, Hays County, Williamson County and Brackenridge were down when compared to December 16 through December 22 time periods. While positive diagnosis’s of flu were up a bit at Seton facilities in Austin, Seton NW and Seton SW.

Tips to avoids the flu

Every time you shake someone’s hand, wash yours
Wash them as much as possible.

Keep your hands off
Touching your nose and your eyes may harm you. Those are the most common places for germs to get in.

Go to bed
As if getting enough rest on a normal basis isn’t hard enough, you need more z’s when you’re feeling under the weather. When you’re tired, your body isn’t fighting as hard, get 8 to 10 hours a night.

Get your shot
Last year’s flu-shot shortages are, well, last year’s shortages. Finding flu shots should be easier this year, but you should get one early.

Build up with healthy food
You may think it’s hard to eat healthy on a regular basis, but eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables supports your immune system.

Work out
Get those sweats on and exercise. Working out regularly enhances immune function.

Stay away
Keep your distance from people displaying symptoms like sneezing and coughing. While that strategy may seem obvious, it applies to more than just strangers and your own coworkers. Stay away from sick friends and family when possible.