SAN ANTONIO -- Metro Health is reporting an increase in flu cases this season.
"Compared to a year ago, our cases are a little higher this year than compared to last year," said Dr. Anil Mangla, Chief Epidemiologist for Metro Health.
Dr. Mangla told News 4 that Metro Health is doing surveillance and tracking the flu by testing swab samples from doctors' offices across the city.
"It's very difficult to have an (exact) number, because it's not a reportable disease," added Dr. Mangla.
This year's flu covers all three current strains of flu, but currently strain B of the flu virus is infecting the most amount of people.
"It's the same symptoms, just a different kind of strain of the virus," said. Dr. Mangla.
Metro Health officials say most residents have yet to get the flu vaccine, which Dr. Mangla says takes about two weeks for your body to absorb and build an immunity to the virus. Health experts say all adults and children at least six months of age get the vaccine. If you haven't gotten your flu shot yet, it's not too late. The peak of the flu season starts in February.
Dr. Mangla says it's still too early to tell what will become of this flu season. The flu is contagious and the virus has to run its course, although most doctors prescribe the medication, Tamiflu, to treat it. Medical experts however, say the best way to fight off the virus is by getting the vaccine.
"We've noticed an increased volume of people getting sick, because people are not getting their flu shot," said Stephanie Winkler, a pharmacist at Davila's Pharmacy.
for more information on how to protect yourself and your family from the flu, CLICK HERE.
