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Doctors at Atrium Health already treating flu patients this season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Flu season started a few weeks ago, and already, officials at Atrium Health say they've seen some confirmed cases.

"The best time to get your flu shot is as early as you can," Dr Rhonda Patt said, "Everyone should take the flu seriously."

[Unvaccinated child dies of flu, Florida health officials say]

We're coming off one of the worst flu seasons on record.

Last year, nearly 80,000 Americans died, 389 people in North Carolina and 271 in South Carolina.

"Deaths from flu-related pneumonia and flu-related illness were above epidemic levels for 16 weeks last year," Dr. Patt said. "Typical is closer to 10 to 11 weeks."

And because of that, Dr. Patt said Atrium Health is being more proactive in case they see a surge of calls and cases again.

"We have been working on strategies at least in the outpatient pediatric setting, about what we'll do to accommodate that."

She said that means having more available slots for sick visits and timing appointments so there's less exposure between sick and healthy patients.

[RELATED: CDC reminds everyone who can, to get a flu shot this year]

She said this year's flu vaccine protects against the same strains as last year, but there have been efforts to make the flu shot more effective.

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