Flu season has grown into a full-blown epidemic this year. A Kalamazoo pharmacist has some tips on how to avoid the flu and what to do if you come down with it.

It's not just your imagination, flu season this year is bad. Walgreen's pharmacist Angie Gurica confirms the H3N2 strain of the flu is "the worst recorded yet...the most widespread since records were kept."

How do you know if you have the flu?

Oh, "you'll know," say those who have had it. Symptoms are much like a cold:

  • sore throat
  • runny nose
  • coughing
  • headaches
  • body aches

Add fever and/or chills, plus muscle and joint aches and it's the flu

What Do You Do If You Get the Flu?

  • Stay home.
  • Your provider may be able to provide an anti-viral medication that helps tremendously in the first 48 hours.
  • Get a shot.

How Can You Prevent It?

Get your flu shot. All 12 Southwest Michigan Walgreen's offer flu shots on a walk-in basis, no appointment is required.

Plus, they have a "get a shot, give a shot" program that provides vaccines for those who cannot afford them.

Even if you've had the shot in years past, it is important to get one every year as Angie also tells us that yearly flu shots are essential to prevent complications if you do contract the virus.

Find out more about the H3N2 virus in Kalamazoo and where you can get help in the video below.

Bonus Video: Bronson Health Provides Heart Health Screening at Kalamazoo Marathon

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