SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- The Delaware Division of Public Health says that so far this season there has been 613 confirmed cases of the flu in Delaware alone. Many people tend to get their flu shot but the question arose if there is another option for people who already have the flu.That's where CBD came into question. We wanted to find out if CBD could actually help treat or alleviate the flu symptoms. Among the 233 confirmed cases of the flu, the Division of Public Health says that 77 of those cases are from Sussex County alone. And one store on Rehoboth Beach has seen the affects of the flu first hand. Christy Kitchen, from Good News Natural Foods said,"We've had plenty of customers come in with the symptoms, have gotten the flu shot and still gotten the flu." That's where people might turn to CBD to treat the flu. "CBD in general is a whole body wellness product, it pretty much resets the endocannabinoid system in the body, if it's been compromised by immune, by illness by disease so on and so forth," Kitchen said. One doctor doesn't understand why people would use CBD since it hasn't been tested to help treat the flu. He says stick to normal routines like washing your hands, getting the flu shot, and avoiding those that are sick. Dr. Kevin Bristowe, with Beebe Health said, "It's not recommended. What's recommended are good hygiene procedures to prevent getting the flu, coughing into your arm not into your hands, washing your hands frequently if you are sick or feel like you're getting the flu, try to limit your contact with others." But that doesn't mean people aren't open to giving CBD a try. Janice Madalas, a Pennsylvania Native visiting Rehoboth Beach said, "I probably would consider it. Yeah my sister takes it but I've never, you know she mentioned it but I never really tried it." One other medical professional sees issues with it as well. Dr. Rick Hong the Medical Director with the Delaware Division of Public Health says that "CBD may have anti-inflammatory properties that can potentially hinder the body's ability to fight infections, including the flu." But Dr. Bristowe from Beebe Health is still sticking with the tried and true method. "We typically would recommend that people get the flu shot early in the fall before flu is prevalent, which this year was more September, October, November, but it's never too late to get the flu shot," said Bristowe. Beebe also said that they do offer the flu shot at walk-in locations and with primary care doctors. Compared to this time last year, Sussex county has nearly double the amount of confirmed cases. The majority of those cases range from newborns to 24 years old.
