First flu-associated death

South Carolina has recorded its first flu-associated death of the season, and DHEC says the victim was an Upstate resident.  “Sadly, an individual from the Upstate region has become our first lab-confirmed influenza-associated death of the season,” said Teresa Foo , MD, MPH, DHEC Immunization Medical Consultant. “Unfortunately, we see many deaths, hospitalizations and other serious complications of flu each year in South Carolina.”  Even healthy people can have serious complications from the flu.  That’s why Dr. Foo urges everyone six months and older to get the flu vaccine every year.