Delta Health System-The Medical Center Flu Season Information

Delta Health System-The Medical Center Flu Season Information

Flu season is upon us, so The Medical Center team is encouraging everyone to be prepared and cautious during the fall and winter months.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Flu vaccines help to reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths on the health care system each year. This season, all flu vaccines will be designed to protect against the four flu viruses that research indicates will be most common.

Vaccination of people at higher risk of developing serious flu complications is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness. The flu vaccine is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for people at higher risk to keep from spreading flu to them. This is especially true for people who work in long-term care facilities, which are home to many of the people most vulnerable to flu.

“There are many steps one can take to try to prevent the flu or reducing the spread such as avoiding close contact with people who are sick, proper hand washing, covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces or objects that may have come in contact with the flu,” said Dr. Brett Zepponi, Family Medicine Physician. “I recommend that people over the age of six months get the flu vaccine if approved by your healthcare provider. Delta Health System has various locations to receive the flu vaccine, so we try to accommodate everyone’s schedule.”

Delta Health System locations include:

• Dr. Anthony Carter 662.725.6261

• Dr. Ashraf Nofal 662.378.5500

• Dr. Barbara Ricks 662.344.9100

• Dr. Eric Wilkerson 662.725.6261

• Dr. Brett Zepponi 662.725.1492

• Arcola Health Center 662.807.1812

• Delta Regional Health Clinic 662.344.9100

• Family Medicine Residency Clinic 662.725.6261

For flu, CDC recommends that people stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Note that Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

“If you or your family member feel ill or think you might have the flu, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. The flu is nothing you want to take for granted and the quicker you see your provider, the faster you can begin your medication regime,” said Amy Walker, Chief Nursing Officer.