Valley doctors bracing for influx of influenza cases this holiday season
Nov 27, 2024, 4:45 AM
One nurse practitioner based in the Valley said flu cases are expected to rise. (File Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
(File Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — Many Valley residents are sure to hear a symphony of coughs and sniffles interrupting their Thanksgiving dinners.
Health experts around the Valley are preparing for a potential influx of flu cases.
While sneezing on one’s plate might make a turkey leg less dry, it’s a fate that can be avoided, according to Samia Kadri, a family nurse practitioner who works with Banner Urgent Care.
What sickness is going around Phoenix right now?
“The last couple of weeks, it started off with the common cold, and over the last week, we’ve seen an uptick in influenza-positive illnesses,” Kadri told KTAR News 92.3 FM.
It’s not too late to get a flu shot, she added. In fact, sooner is better than later.
“It takes two to three weeks for immunity to develop,” Kadri said.
She also advised those who suspect they are sick to stay home because it’s better to be safe than sorry.
RELATED STORIES
“It’s unfortunate that you can’t spend the holiday season with your family,” Kadri said. “But I see a lot of family members that come in together because a brother was sick and now the mom is sick and then the father is sick and it just runs its way through the home.”
How those in metro Phoenix can stay healthy despite flu cases
Those who already have taken their flu vaccines can take extra precautions to protect their immune systems this holiday season.
“Drink plenty of fluids, rest, wear a mask if you’re around other people who are ill,” Kadri said.
Not only that, but there are several other steps passengers planning to fly to their Thanksgiving dinner destinations can take.
For one, wear a mask on a plane when traveling through airports to avoid getting congested like the traffic around Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Keep the mask on when you fly, Kadri said. Crowded cabins are a hotbed for airborne illnesses.
“As we know, that’s all close quarters and viruses love to fly through the air and infect,” Kadri said.
Another way to stay away from sickness going around Phoenix in 2024
She also advised those in metro Phoenix to dress warmly.
Although Thanksgiving weather is expected to be nice, the mornings can get chilly.
Since flu cases are projected to spike this holiday season, it’s also good to take precaution, according to Kadri.
“We have so many other cold viruses that are running through, so it’s good to get tested,” she said.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Kate Ourada contributed to this report.
