It has been a tough flu season in North Texas and the virus doesn't take a holiday. Texas is one of dozens of states reporting widespread flu activity this Christmas.
“I’ll trade in the Care Bears, I’ll give you the Connect Four back, we’ll give you the fuzzy socks, anything for our stockings. You can have it just for Tamiflu,” said Paige Chenault.
Chenault thinks she is coming down the flu, but her husband, Colin, believes he’s had it for a couple days. The couple set out in search of a doctor, but the Chenault’s found most doctors and urgent care clinics closed on Christmas.
So instead, they stopped by the 24-hour Preston Hollow Emergency Room.
“I listened to my wife and daughter play with all the new Christmas stuff this morning from the other room while I was sleeping off and on, and it’s not fun, it’s not fun,” Colin Chenault said.
“I’m just trying to get ahead of the flu at this point,” Paige Chenault said. “My husband is down and out and I feel like it is right on the cusp, and being Christmas day, I’m just trying to get into the prevention mode before it really strikes.”
But, after spending on gifts this holiday season, the Chenaults decided to skip paying for emergency care and head back to bed instead.
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Dr. Jeff Erdner with Preston Hollow 24-Hour Emergency Room in Dallas said the ER ran at least five or six positive flu tests Christmas Day. He said they included the typical flu symptoms people are complaining about: chills, body aches, sore throat, cough, congestion and fever.
Erdner said it’s important to seek care early and stay hydrated. Tamiflu is most effective when given within the first 48 hours.
