Urgent Care Centers in the Borderland have been hit hard by the number of patients who have the flu.

Since October, there have been nearly 3,000 cases reported in El Paso County. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that this year's flu has reached epidemic proportions.

Olga Benitez says she has the flu.

"My tonsils, chills, ears ache and coughing. It's been a lot of phlegm as well. I've been taking some medication, trying to take vitamin C and a lot of orange juice, but it's not helping," said Benitez.

She says trying to prevent it didn't work.

"I take care of myself, washing my hands. I don't take that much vitamins, but occasionally just vitamin C," Benitez said.

Benitez says she didn't want to get a flu shot.

"I have taken the shot before in the past, but it doesn't work. I still get sick with or without it," Benitez said.

Dr. Mitch Farrell says skipping a flu shot is not a good idea for anyone older than six months.

"The vaccine does two things: It prevents you from getting the flu, and if you get the flu you're not as sick," Farrell said.

This year is especially bad, as strains of type A and type B flu hit at the same time.

"You have this newtype A that's making people sick. There is also a type B that is in the community and we're getting quite a few Bs," Farrell said.

He has seen a lot of patients. 

"We saw 228 people in one day. This is a 12 hour clinic. You walk into the waiting area and what do you see, you see a lot of sick people," Farrell said.

He says the flu vaccine isn't as on target this year, only 62 percent effective, which is down from 75 percent last year. But that is still better than not getting the shot.

"If you think about how it's spread, which is droplet and by touch, it is very easy to be out in the community with a lot of sick people, and you're going to get it. So, if you come in contact with someone who has the flu, it is highly contagious. There is about a three out of four chance of getting it," said Farrell.

That is because, if you don't get the shot you might end up like Benitez.

"My throat it hurts, it hurts a lot," Benitez said.

Farrell says that flu is dangerous for children and the elderly. Signs of the flu are loss of energy, high fever, sore throat, cough, muscle aches or headache and shortness of breath. If you suspect you have the flu, you should see a doctor immediately.

To keep yourself from getting the flu, Dr. Farrell recommends:

1) CLEAN-Wash your hands often. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds with
soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

2) COVER-Cover your cough or sneeze. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you
cough or sneeze.

3) CONTAIN-Contain germs by steering clear of others who are sick. If you do get
sick, stay at home until you're well again so you don't spread more germs.

4) VACCINATION-Get vaccinated against the flu yearly.