The number of flu cases is rapidly increasing in Pueblo County

The flu is hitting Pueblo County hard this season.

The Pueblo City-County Health Department said 36 people have already been hospitalized because of the illness. That’s up from only two at this point last year.

The department also said the majority of the cases are in people who are over the age of 65 and the age range of flu patients is from one week to 91.

Jan Philson is a registered nurse at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo. She said one of the possible reasons why the flu is spreading quickly is lack of preparedness.

She said when people don’t get a flu shot there is a possibility they could get the illness and spread it to others.

Parkview Medical wanted to prevent future cases by having a flu clinic. Close to 70 people came in to get their shots.

Dave Stalcar said he had the flu and he never wants to have it again.

“Having the flu, you are sick, you can’t work, you are achy, and all you can do is stay in bed. I say get the shot and you don’t have to have those problems,” he said.

Symptoms of the flu include headache, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fever, tiredness, body aches, chills and fatigue.