Health care officials in Washtenaw County are hopeful flu season has already peaked.
So far this season, there have been five flu related deaths of county residents and hospitalizations are more than double the total for last year. But the latest numbers show a decline in hospitalizations for the first week in January.
WashtenawCounty Public Health spokesperson Susan Cerniglia says staying away from others when you're sick is crucial. She also encourages people to carefully monitor flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, body ache, and coughing. "Check in with your health care provider about their recommendations for anti-viral medication because those are going to be most effective early in the course of illness," Cerniglia says.
Cerniglia says getting the flu vaccine remains the best protection and frequent washing of hands is important as well.
Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.