Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statewide public health emergency Jan. 11 due to widespread reports of influenza.
At least one Birmingham-area school, Briarwood Christian, closed last week due to the large number of students and teachers with the flu. A statement from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) said hospitals and clinics are seeing high volumes of patients.
ADPH advises patients experiencing mild to moderate flu symptoms to call their doctor’s office first to see if they are eligible for antiviral medications without an appointment or to seek help from telemedicine or call providers to avoid long wait times at medical facilities.
Health officials also advise people to stay home when sick, wash hands frequently and stockpile supplies such as fever, cough and congestion medications for home care.
For more information on coping with the flu, visit www.baptistfirst.org. (TAB)
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