No Shortage of Flu Meds in Texas

Texas now ranks as the number two state in flu activity, according to newly launched Walgreens Flu Index.

And on Monday, a spokesperson for Tarrant County Public Health says they are seeing flu surveillance numbers showing three weeks ahead of where they were the last two years at this time.

At CareNow in Carrollton, more patients are coming in with the flu. And it is likely that number will increase.

The regional medical director said he expects the height of the spike to be in about 10 days.

“It’s going to keep getting worse for a little while,” said Dr. Martin Jones, Regional Medical Director for CareNow.

Shelby Rangel tested positive for the flu on Monday.

“I emailed the school this morning to let them know she was going to be out sick, and the response was there was a lot of kids at her school that had had the flu,” said her mother, Jae Lynn Rangel.

Tamiflu, the drug used to treat the flu, is not in short supply. A spokesperson from CVS said they don’t have any shortages.

NBC 5 contacted Walgreens, as well. Their spokesperson said they have Tamiflu as well, but added some stores may be experiencing a temporary shortage, although none have been reported at this time.

In some situations, it is not just the person who comes down with the flu who gets Tamiflu. People who have compromised immune systems, may be prescribed it, too.

“If you have a person like that that is at high risk and they have a household member that has tested positive, than that might be somebody you want to put on a preventative dose of medication,” added Dr. Jones.

But in the meantime, Dr. Jones said it is not too late to get your flu shot.

“We are seeing a spike right now, which means that it hasn't actually reached a peak yet, and when it does, there is going to be another several weeks when people still have influenza after that,” said Dr. Jones.
 

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