Flu remedies more difficult to find as influenza cases in northern Texas – NBC DFW

Whether prescribed or the counter, influenza medications may be more difficult to find, as cases continue to move in northern Texas and the nation.

In the latest Dallas County report ending January 25, nearly 35% of the flu tests are positive and 185 people are hospitalized due to the flu.

In the latest Tarrant County report, 33% of the flu tests are positive and visits to the emergency room have increased from 6% to 28% in one week.

“More than a quarter of people who come to the EP have flu -like symptoms,” said the chief epidemiologist of the public health of Tarrant County, Race Jones said during the Fort Worth Municipal Council meeting this week.

At national level, the latest CDC report shows an increase in positive flu tests by nearly 30%.

“Seasonal influenza activity remains increased,” CDC says in the report. “CDC estimates that there have been at least 20 million diseases, 250,000 hospitalizations and 11,000 influenza deaths this season.”

The workload, in turn, has turned to pharmacies.

“Hit or miss, if in stock or not, he comes to the spurs,” says Heather Vlasis, a pharmacy manager at Perrone Pharmacy at Fort Worth. “(Flu) definitely keeps us more busy than normal, but it also increases the number of medicines we order, trying to keep everything in stock. You just try to stay on top of everything. “

The case of the case in Tarrant County, said health officials, can partly be attributed to the flu outputs in schools. In the last two weeks, the health department of the Tarrant County has reported more than 40 outbreaks. According to a spokesman for the department, the hearth is when five or more cases occur in a high -density area, including classrooms or changing rooms.

“As the school hit, delivery decreases. As we get a little break, we can increase the increase in delivery we have just in time to hit another school. And he goes back again, “Vlasis said.

However, Vlassis said that their job is to plan so that they can serve their customers.

“We are definitely always trying to order excessively. We are trying to make sure that we have enough in stock every day. However, it is difficult to say how much you will go in a day. So, we just tried to maintain as much as possible, “Vlasis said.

Although not so common, Perrone Pharmacy has made customers ask for Xofluza, a one-dose recipe that comes at a significantly higher price than Tamiflu.

“Much higher. However, this is a single dose, “Vlasis said. “So you can take one dose and you’re done. So, there is a benefit to tamiflu. These are five days. “

In the last few weeks, Vlassis said the greater challenge is to maintain a constant stock of over-the-counter drugs.

“We can definitely make it easier for over -the -counter recipes. I think people are active. They maintain delivery at home if they start to feel symptoms so that they can be easier to go to the counter and people should not go to the doctor, “said Vlasis.

Some healthcare professionals insist that it is not too late for people to have a flu.

Frequent washing of the hands and the use of a hand disinfectant is recommended by health experts. They also encourage people to stay home or not to go to school or work if they have symptoms, including fever.