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Flu season getting worse, officials say

By Blaine Tolison, wsoctv.com
By Blaine Tolison, wsoctv.com

This flu season, in which 26 people, including two children, have died North Carolina is getting worse, North Carolina Health and Human Services officials said.

They urge that everyone get a flu shot.

Students at Carmel Christian School spent five days at home after 160 students showed flu-like symptoms last week.

[160 students out with flu at North Carolina school]

It was the first time in the school's history that such a drastic measure had to be taken, but a doctor who treats local flu patients said it was the right move.

"Definitely, we would recommend that if you are feeling sick -- not to go out into public areas where there's a lot of people," Carolinas HealthCare System's Dr. Anu Neelakanta said.

Parents were also happy with the decision to cancel classes last week, according to the school officials.

The school used the time to disinfect the entire campus.

The head of Carmel Christian sent a letter to parents thanking them for their support, but he also asked that if their child is showing any symptoms of the flu, to keep them at home.

“Although we have supplemented our regular cleaning methods throughout the building to include additional sanitizing procedures, it will continue to be important to take precautionary measures,” Mike Long wrote in that letter.

In the letter, he also asked parents who have sick kids to keep them home for 48 hours instead of the normal 24-hour period.

Outbreaks like the one at Carmel Christian are on the minds of many parents.

Sasi Patterson said her children got the flu shot but she still worries.

"It's very hard to run away from it, to be honest," Patterson said.

Patterson won’t let her worries about the spread of the flu consume her.

"When we are in the car, we have to sanitize. You know, wash hands,” she said. “That's really all we can do, and eat healthy food and stuff."

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