News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Upper Cumberland hospitals are beginning to see a slight decrease in total flu cases.
Tammy Thrasher is the infection prevention nurse at Livingston Regional Hospital.
“We’ve had 14 Influenza A [cases] in February, and nine Influenza Bs,” Thrasher said. “In March, so far we’ve had 19 A’s but there was an uptick at the first of the month. We’ve had a decline these last few days and there’s been no [cases of] Influenza B this month.”
Cookeville Regional Medical Center Chief Operating Officer Scott Williams reported Tuesday the hospital has seen a slight decline in recent flu trends. However, the threat of flu cases still remain.
Thrasher said it’s not too late to take preventive measures against the flu virus.
“Avoid big crowds [and] avoid coming to the hospital unless absolutely necessary,” Thrasher said. “If you do have to come and you have symptoms, ask for a mask. Hand hygiene is the biggest thing you can do. Make sure you always wash your hands. If you don’t feel like you’ve done it enough, do it again because clean hands help prevent diseases.”
While Influenza A and B symptoms are similar, Influenza A can affect both humans and animals, such as the H1N1 virus known as Swine Flu.
