Serving the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire of Georgia and South Carolina.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Fox 28 reporter Robert Catanese and Dr. Leslie Sizemore, a family medicine physician at the SouthCoast Health Pooler location, recently discussed an increase in the number of patients with the flu. The flu is now considered widespread by the CDC, with Georgia and South Carolina being several impacted.
“We’re also seeing higher symptom rates, which means there are countless people who are undiagnosed and uncounted for,” Dr. Sizemore explained. “Regardless, Georgia’s rates went up significantly in December.”
Watch below to learn why Dr. Sizemore has been very busy this flu season.
In addition to reporting the increase in flu activity, Dr. Sizemore appeared on WTOC Mid-Morning Live over the holidays to share tips for avoiding the flu at the start of 2019. The months of December through February are the peak of flu season.
She again emphasized that our region of Georgia has increased influenza activity compared to the rest of the country during this time.
Unfortunately, those battling the flu are contagious 24 hours before symptoms start to show. Therefore, Dr. Sizemore emphasized the importance of getting the flu vaccination for prevention, as well as staying home and away from people when battling the flu.
“Often times, people feel like they can’t miss work or they don’t want their kids to fall behind in their schoolwork. So, they fight against their sickness and continue to do daily activities when they are still contagious,” Dr. Sizemore shared with the audience. “Staying out of those social environments when you are having symptoms helps decrease the spread in our community.”
Watch Dr. Sizemore’s appearance below to learn more flu prevention tips.
SouthCoast Health has 120 physicians and medical professionals in 18 locations in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pooler, Rincon, Baxley, Hinesville, and Statesboro.
