January 4th, 2012 by WCBC Radio
It took till the last week of 2011- but state health officials did confirm last week that the flu has arrived in Maryland. The first reported case hitting an adult in the Baltimore area. Frances Phillips, Deputy Secretary of Public Health Services, says that the virus which causes influenza is contagious, spreading from person to person through coughing or sneezing. It is also spread by direct contact with infected people and contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms usually begin one to four days after being exposed to the influenza virus and include fever, body aches, fatigue, coughing, and sore throat. She says the best ways to deal with flu if you have the symptoms is to contact your primary care provider, get rest, drink plenty of liquids, cover your mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing, use alcohol-based cleansers for hands, and avoid crowded places. Getting a flu shot is the best preventive measure, although there is a window from the time you receive the shot until it kicks in…
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