ROSWELL, Ga. — Clinics across metro Atlanta are reporting a big spike in patients as local doctors say flu cases are through the roof.
A patient shared video with Channel 2’s Bryan Mims from Dec. 23 that showed the line for the Smart-MED clinic in Roswell around the building – more than two dozen cars long.
Dr. Luke Lathrop, who owns the clinic with his wife Stacy, said flu cases at their clinic have jumped 500%.
“It’s predominantly influenza we’ve been seeing,” Luke Lathrop said.
Doctors say Strain A is one of the types of flu to hit people in the U.S. every winter.
It’s known to cause more severe illness, especially in small children and the elderly, and can lead to pneumonia.
“Generally, people feel terrible but aren’t ending up in the hospital,” Luke Lathrop said.
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The symptoms include body aches, headaches, sore throat and fever.
Luke Lathrop said with all the holiday gatherings, he expects another flood of flu sufferers to show up at his clinic well into January.
“I think the next couple of weeks are gonna be through the roof,” he said.
This hard-hitting flu season has hit home for Luke.
His wife and two children -- 6-year-old Jackson and 5-year-old Lily -- came down with it in the last three weeks.
The kids had up to 104-degree fevers.
“It’s hard when you see your little babies just lying in your lap when they’re usually so full of life and they’re so tired and icky,” Stacy Lathrop said.
The doctor said to avoid getting and spreading the flu, wash your hands, wear a mask if you feel sick, and cough into the crook of your arm, and get the flu shot.
“Nothing is 100% protected, but I would still recommend the vaccine,” Luke Lathrop said.
The doctor said many of the patients showing up sick with the flu did get their flu shots. He has a staff of 12 to handle the spike of patients.
This clinic is open Monday through Saturday.
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