Feeling under the weather? You’re not alone.

Apparently “the crud” has taken hold in Vicksburg and is causing many to have the blues.

Vicksburg area clinics have been inundated with patients presenting flu-like symptoms.

Gwen Stewart, who holds a doctorate degree as a nurse practitioner and who works at the Family Medicine Clinic at Merit Health River Region Medical Center in Vicksburg, said, “A lot of people are sick, but we’ve only had one actual case of the flu, but I’m hearing they’ve had many cases at the hospital.”

Those symptoms include 100-plus degree temperatures, body aches, coughs, basic runny nose and congestion and overall fatigue.

“I’ve had some patients who just want to sleep because of the way they feel,” Stewart said. “You can miss the flu if you think you’ve got a sinus infection, but that fever and cough are indicators of the flu — more so the fever, including body aches and chills. That’s a dead giveaway.”

Stewart said seeing cases of flu and related illnesses have been “somewhat typical” this time of year for the last couple of years.

“Years ago, we would see this in January, but the last couple of years, it’s hit earlier” in November and December, she said.

What can you do to prevent joining those among us who are ill? Stewart said the age-old recommendation of hand washing still applies.

“Wash those hands. And use Lysol. Keep things you touched wiped down daily. You can’t do it just once. Do it every day. When you are in the grocery store, wipe down the carts. Most places supply anti-bacterial wipes now for you to use to do that. Think about everything you will touch that someone else has touched. Wipe that down,” Stewart advised.

And don’t fail to get your flu shot. She said the flu shot does not always prevent every strain of the flu, but it protects against most and is worthwhile, particularly for the most vulnerable patients.

“Seniors, pregnant women, children, anyone whose immune system is compromised should be very careful,” Stewart said.

And if you are sick or think you have the flu, stay away from others.

“Don’t go to work. You have to consider others around you,” she said.

If you think you have the flu, stay hydrated, she advised. “Drink as much fluid as you can. And don’t wait to seek treatment. The sooner we can see you the better so we can confirm what you have and start antiviral treatments, like Tamiflu,” which Stewart said works best within the first 48 hours after symptoms appear.