Flu cases among children in Central Florida dramatically increase

FLORIDA — An urgent care group is warning that the number of children with the flu in Central Florida has more than doubled in a week's time.

Centra Care reports some of their clinics are seeing 200, 300 and even 500 percent increases in kids with the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also reported a spike in the number of flu cases across Florida.

Doctors told Channel 9's Cierra Putman that people will need plenty of hand sanitizer and make sure children are washing their hands.

Doctors said the number of flu cases should keep rising over the next few weeks.

"Kids tend to pass viruses a lot easier because of their habits and their behaviors. Coughing and sneezing and not washing their hands,” said Dr. Tim Hendrix with Centra Care.

Hendrix said two weeks ago, Centra Care's Central Florida clinics reported 75 cases of children with the flu. A week later, it nearly doubled when doctors saw 132 kids.

Clinics St. Cloud saw a 550 percent increase in child flu cases.

The Longwood and South Orange clinics were up by 300 percent.

Sanford and Oviedo clinics saw a 200 percent increase.

Hendrix said if you get the flu, get treatment early.

“There is an anti-viral medicine called Tamiflu. There's also another one called Relenza, but the anti-virals have to be started within 48 hours within the onslaught of symptoms to be of any benefit,” Hendrix xaid.

Hendrix said the flu shot could still help people who are unprotected and worry about getting sick.

"You're talking a week to two week before it gets to peak effect, to where it can boost your immunity to influenza,” Hendrix said.

Hendrix said to expect the number of flu patients to peak sometime in February.

Cox Media Group