Video: Flu Cases Rise in Mississippi Causing Higher Demand for Medicine

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — The flu is becoming more widespread across the twin states. In fact, a woman died from the flu this past weekend in Meridian.

Health experts say now is the time to get your flu shot, if you haven’t already. The CDC says 14-states have the most wide-spread cases of the flu, including Mississippi.

Pharmacists, like Robert White say flu medication is flying off the shelves.

“We’re seeing more people coming in to get flu shots very similar to last year just starts with body aches, pain, feeling really lousy,” says Robert White.

Flu shots are available at Robert’s Apothecary, but White says it only works about 50 percent of the time. This year, the H3N2 strain is the most common type of flu but it’s not in your flu shot.

“Seems this year there are a couple of strains flu going around that was not in the mix and there are people that are getting sick with the flu and having to get flu medicine,” says White.

Tamiflu is the most common prescription medicine, but White says there is a natural route to fight those aching symptoms.

“There are some natural products like colloidal silver or black elderberry that help fight viruses as well,” says White.

Many people opt out of getting a flu shot, but White says the shot is the best way to go.

“I would still get the flu shot cause there are the strains that will come so that would give the one immunity to those other strains,” says White.

Another way to help from spreading the flu is washing your hands with soap and water and avoid touching your eyes.