Two Triad Flu Deaths Confirmed

Two Guilford County residents have died from the flu--the first confirmed Triad deaths connected to the virus this season.

The victims - both adults - are among 17 flu deaths reported statewide this season. Information about the victims is limited because of health privacy laws.

Sandy Ellington, media coordinator for Guilford County's Division of Public Health, encourages people who have not already had a flu shot to get one.

She says there are also other steps people can take to help flu prevention, including washing hands thoroughly, eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of rest. She says people who already have an illness are more vulnerable to the flu.

“If you have a cold then you may be more likely to get the flu, or if you have some other type of virus, or something going on that your immune system is fighting already, then that would make you more susceptible,” she says.

Ellington says the peak flu season in the area runs through February.

The risk of the flu has led most major local health care providers to limit patient visits by children as well as adults showing flu-like symptoms.