Flu Patients Continue to Fill Doctors' Offices

Cartersville Medical Center has admitted about 50 people who tested positive for influenza as a nearby physician says 15 to 20 percent of his day is spent with flu patients.

This flu season is different than previous years because of the sheer volume of people who are getting sick, some very sick. Cartersville Medical Center through mid January had admitted about 50 patients this season who tested positive for flu, said spokesman Ginger Tyra. "[It] is significant because according to our director of infection control, patients with flu are typically treated on an outpatient basis and not hospitalized," Tyra said. "This number speaks to just how very sick our flu patients have been this year." Dr. Richard Ellin, who works at Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices in nearby Alpharetta, said in the past two or three years, he'd see the occasional flu patient, maybe one or two a week. "This year, we are seeing anywhere…

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How To Avoid Getting Sick with the Flu

Cartersville Medical Center offers advice on how to avoid the influenza virus, as flu season spikes to "Intense" as across the country.

Caused by the influenza virus, the flu spreads around the world each winter, but the strains are usually different from one year to the next, according to Cartersville Medical Center's online health library. Although this year's vaccine is only about 60 percent effective, the shot is still the best way to prevent the flu, experts say. In about two weeks, the vaccine will kick in and protect you against the virus, which is spread through the air and by touch. Someone infected with the virus may sneeze or cough, releasing droplets into the air, and if another breathes in those droplets, he or she could become infected. Touching a contaminated surface also could transfer the virus from your hand to your mouth or nose. Things anyone can do to …

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Flu: Nearly 4 in 10 Vaccinated Will Still Get It if Exposed to Virus

This year's vaccine is categorized as only moderately effective. Have you or will you get a flu shot? The flu season peaks in January and February.

Think getting a flu shot will provide complete protection against the flu? Think again. During a Jan. 11 press briefing, Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said this year's influenza vaccine has an overall effectiveness of 62 percent. "That means that if you got vaccinated, you were about 60 percent less likely to get the flu that required you to go to your doctor," Frieden said, according to a transcript of the briefing. "So what we have known for a long time is that the flu vaccine is far from perfect. But it's still by far the best tool we have to prevent the flu," he added. At 62 percent effectiveness, nearly four in 10 people who have been vaccinated will still get the flu if exposed to the …

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Flu Season 'Intense,' Find Where to Get Your Shot in Cartersville

Cases of the flu have spiked in Georgia and across the country, topping last year's moderate season. The season normally peaks in January and February.

The Season Is Here: Where to Get Flu Shots in Cartersville

Here's where to get an influenza vaccine, how to recognize symptoms and what to know about treatment if you get sick.

Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States: This time last year, flu cases were lower in nearby Atlanta than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. (Cartersville-specific data is not available on Flu Trends.) Overall in Georgia, activity is considered intense, or high, now, while it was considered low at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends. If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in Cartersville that offer the vaccine: CVS Pharmacy and Clinic Locations Rite Aid Locations Kroger Pharmacy Publix Pharmacy More locations According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase across the country.  Five states—Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, …

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Flu: Not Too Late to Vaccinate

Sunday marks the start of National Influenza Vaccination Week, and the Georgia Department of Public Health reminds Cartersville every flu season is different and the best defense against influenza is to get immunized.

If you've ever been out or work and away from family and friends, hugging a hot water bottle and shivering under a stack of blankets, you know the importance of flu immunization. Flu season has been in full swing since August, but it’s never too late to guard yourself against the infection. Sunday is the first day of National Influenza Vaccination Week, and the Georgia Department of Public Health is emphasizing the continued importance of flu vaccination for all. “People of every race, class and environment are equally susceptible to flu infection,” Georgia Department of Public Health Immunization Director Steven Mitchell said in a press release. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months and older …

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Health Department To Conduct Flu Shot Clinic, School Vaccinations

Shots will be available to the community Thursday on a walk-in basis from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., as long as supplies last, at the Cartersville Civic Center. The department also will administer the vaccine at no cost to school children.

It's almost that time of year—time to prepare for flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the season normally peaks in January or February, but flu activity begins as early as October. In an effort to help locals get prepared, Bartow County Health Department on Thursday will offer flu shots to the community on a walk-in basis from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., as long as supplies last, at the Cartersville Civic Center. A limited amount of Vaccine for Children flu mist is available for children ages 2 to 18 years. “It’s not too soon to get the flu vaccine and be protected throughout this flu season,” Nurse Manager Cathy Green said in a press release. “The CDC now recommends a yearly flu vaccination for virtually everyone, except …

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