JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Dr. Hilleary Rockwell, a local pediatrician, has been treating many patients recently for the flu. He says this year seems to be worse than in years past, but he says, by visiting your doctor, you can help reduce the risks.
"If you have high fever, headache, sore throat, aches and pains all over, you should see your doctor fairly quickly. There are some anti-viral medications that can help you reduce the symptoms," says Rockwell.
For the first time in Duval County, the Health Department is reporting a flu-related death to a victim under 18. Rockwell says parents need to take the flu seriously and do all they can to prevent their child from getting it.
"The best thing they can do is get a flu vaccine for their child if they haven't already gotten it. If they've already gotten it, there's a lot less risk for their child to get the flu," said Rockwell.
And for those who say they don't want the flu shot for their child because they're afraid it will make them sick, Rockwell says that's just a myth.
"The flu vaccine is very safe. It's a killed virus, so it won't make you sick," he says.
