Influenza Sweeps Through the Valley - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

This season is full of family, friends and the flu! Department of Health officials say more people in just in the past week have influenza.  Dr. Curtis Nyhus says, "Influenza is primarily a respiratory illness, so it hits really quickly typically and makes people very sick." Doesn't sound like what anyone wants to deal with on their winter break. Dr. Nyhus continues, "With a fever with a headache, but it's primarily a lot of congestion, and a harsh and painful non-productive cough, and tremendous body aches."

Recent numbers from the Minnesota Department of Health shows this year it's hitting earlier than it usually does. And in North Dakota, Cass County has over 40 people who've had influenza. Also getting the flu shot may not stop all symptoms. Family Nurse Practitioner Marilyn Ek, "Actually people who've had the flu vaccine, that are actually testing positive for arb so even though you've had the flu vaccine and you have the symptoms its always a good idea to get checked."

It's still recommended to get the flu shot, because clinics are seeing a influenza sweep through the Valley.

"We can actually start Tamiflu which you take twice a day for five days, which is an anti-viral medication. The Tamiflu doesn't take the symptoms away, but it does help break up the virus so you feel better." says Ek. Dr. Nyhus agreed about the medication, "I just found out that we're almost out of it in Fargo-Moorhead right now, so that's how rapid this is going. I know all of Sanford has no Tamiflu left."

And for a virus that can last 7-10 days doing the little things like covering your mouth when you cough and washing your hands will be just a few ways to help stop spreading the virus. An outbreak of a virus isn't unheard of in Minnesota. The Whooping Cough has affected for more than 4,000 Minnesotans this year according to the Department of Health.