Flu Outbreak to Hit the San Joaquin Valley

December 28, 2012 Updated Dec 28, 2012 at 6:59 PM PDT

The outbreak stems from the southeastern US, where health officials are seeing twice the usual amount of influenza reports.

Those flu reports in the southeast have been caused by the same virus now circulating the San Joaquin Valley.

Dr. Edward Moreno, Public Health Officer: "We're also seeing it through states moving westward are beginning to see more and more influenza illness and that's why we should expect that we'll see more influenza illness probably within the next few weeks."

Flu season usually peaks in late February, early March.

But in addition to the number of cases reported, health officials expect the peak of the season to happen much, much sooner...

So, the flu vaccine is being recommended for anyone ages 6 months and up.

Moreno: "We also know that people over the age of 65 years are more likely to require hospitalization or develop pneumonia if they get influenza, and so those individuals should receive the flu vaccine."

Over at Children's Hospital, doctors and nurses are expecting a jump in the number of RSV cases.

Patients, typically babies and toddlers, exhibit cold like symptoms, which can be severe.

So far, Children's Hospital has 263 cases, with 175 patients being admitted for treatment.

Rougeh Awad, ER Charge Nurse, Children's Hospital: "The big warning signs are elevated fever for an extended period of time, a persistent cough where you just can't maintain work or breathing, any duskiness, any color change, any altered mental status."

RSV cases are up, but children's only has nine patients being treated for the flu, so far...

In addition to the flu shot, here's what doctors recommend to stay healthy...

Wash your hands, and use hand sanitizer.

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

Wipe down computers, phones, and any items you might share with others.

If you're sick, stay home, and stay away from babies and the elderly.

The flu shot can reduce the likelihood that you could get the flu.

But even if you still got the flu, the vaccine could prevent pneumonia and hospitalization.

The vaccine is also being recommended for diabetics, and anyone who cares for babies or the elderly.

If you haven't had the flu vaccine yet, now is the time to do so.

You can check with your doctor, or local pharmacy, or you can find flu shot information on our website...

Just go to KSEE24.com and click on Newslinks.