Middle Georgia doctor urges flu shots as ‘super flu’ spreads

Medical providers stress vaccination, early testing and prevention as cases rise.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Doctors across Middle Georgia are urging people to take flu season seriously, warning that a highly contagious strain commonly referred to as the “super flu” is spreading quickly through the community.

Flu season is here, and doctors say while the virus itself is not new, it is highly infectious. Lifeguard Pediatrics Dr. Uwa Iguobadia says the concern is not that people are getting sicker, but that more people are getting sick.

Dr. Iguobadia says there are two strains of the flu: flu A and flu B. Flu A is generally considered more severe, often causing symptoms such as fever, body aches, and cough.

“But flu A, we can have the same cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, fever, body aches, sore throat, and fatigue,” Iguobadia said. “And these symptoms can present differently with our toddlers, babies, school-age children, as well as our adolescents and adults too.”

Because it is also cold season, Dr. Iguobadia says many people may have mild symptoms like a runny nose or congestion. However, if a fever develops, she urges people to seek evaluation quickly to prevent spreading the illness.

“With the symptoms — runny nose, nasal congestion — the cough might not come in until a few days later, and then all of a sudden we have that temperature, so by the time we have the temperature, we’ve already been exposed or exposing other people,” Iguobadia said.

Nurse practitioner Madison Taylor says children and toddlers are especially vulnerable because their immune systems are not fully developed, which is why vaccination is critical.

“We do start giving the flu shot October 1 because it takes weeks before it starts working,” she said. “So we recommend everybody get it as soon as possible and not wait until you’re exposed to the flu to get it. But it does help protect us against the flu as well as decrease the duration of our symptoms if we do get the flu.”

Taylor says if you are experiencing symptoms, wash your hands frequently, stay home when possible and wear a mask if you need to go out.

“Even though the super flu is the main thing going around, there are lots of other colds we want to protect against as well,” Taylor said.

Dr. Iguobadia says flu shots are available through your primary care doctor or at local pharmacies such as CVS or Walgreens.