New year, new flu.

2018 welcomes many new resolutions, but the flu isn’t one of them.

The flu has been spreading widely throughout schools and the workplace. Doctors and hospitals have handled over dozens of cases just in the past month. The way to solve the spreading of the dangerous illness could simply be better hygiene.

The new year is here and it didn’t leave the flu behind in 2017. Over hundreds of flu cases have been reported in Kentucky, some even resulting in death. The flu is very common in the US. There are more than three million cases of the illness every year. The illness attacks the lungs, nose and throat.

The worst part of the flu is how fast it spreads.The flu has widely spread across all areas in the Bluegrass. It can spread easily through the air or through contact with others. However, the flu can be prevented with the flu vaccine. The vaccine is only a partial helper; many people have been diagnosed with the flu even after getting the shot.

The flu has become a major problem for all people, especially children. Over 20 cases have been reported since December at a local pediatric facility. “The main spreading of the flu is probably hygiene. It can range from people not washing their hands and germs being passed around at schools,” said Ashley Mattingly, Medical Assistant at the Pediatrics of Bullitt County. Mattingly has dealt with many kids coming in with the flu, with symptoms such as body aches, fevers and congestion.

The treatment for the flu is primarily rest and over-the-counter medicines like tylenol and advil. However, some patients are given the choice of Tamiflu. “Patients have the choice of Tamiflu, but we don’t recommend it for kids. If they don’t want to treat the flu with Tamiflu, we suggest advil to take over the fevers and aches,” said Mattingly. Mattingly strongly suggests getting the flu vaccine because it will build up the immune system each year the shot is injected into the body.

High school sophomore Max Gauthier saw immediate signs of the flu on the first of the New Year. “I think I got the flu from a friend at a party. I feel weak and drained all the time,” said Gauthier. Gauthier got the flu shot during the beginning of the school year, but knew it wouldn’t be effective. Since the flu is building up so bad, hopes are that more people will continually get the vaccine so their body will avoid the terrible illness.