Health officials warn of rising flu cases across Massachusetts

New at 5. Health officials are seeing a rise in flu cases across our state just in time for many to gather later this week for the holiday. >> And 22 News reporter Nicole Buddy joins us live in studio after speaking with a doctor about what you can do to protect yourself. >> Sierra Nick, it's symptoms like a cough, runny nose, and a fever that doctors say patients are coming in with. They say you're going to want to be mindful before heading to those family and friend gatherings this week. So if you feel unwell, you have a sore throat, you have a fever, um think about not just yourself, but also who you're going to be around. >> Doctors seeing a rise in flu cases in Western Massachusetts and across the Bay State. >> All of a sudden, they'll have a fever, um muscle pains, feeling really run down. >> Health officials say symptoms could also include sore throat, cough, and runny nose. However, it's not just influenza or the flu. Bringing patients in to local hospitals. >> CO can cause very similar symptoms and also just a common cold. >> Everyone's getting together with family, with friends. If you're not feeling well, do you recommend still going and maybe masking up? >> So, we say having no fever without taking medicine. >> Flu cases expected to rise through the winter months and the early spring. It's certainly not too late to have some benefit from the prevention meth methods we have. >> Doctors say the CO 19 and flu vaccine available to help prevent severe illness. And if you're feeling sick, they say reach out to your physician for treatments that reduce symptoms. And doctors say if you are interested in taking the steps to prevent severe illness, talk to your local physician about vaccinations. All localarmacies also offer the vaccines. working for you. Nicole Buddy, 22 News.