NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Flu-like illnesses are beginning to take a toll in middle Tennessee, and doctors and emergency rooms are seeing an increase in the number of people who say they’re sick, and some schools are being affected.

Video: Flu-Like Symptoms Become More Frequent

The patient board at Vanderbilt Medical Center’s emergency room shows how busy it is these days. By mid-afternoon on Friday, every room was occupied by people with flu-like symptoms.

“We’re seeing an unbelievable number of patients coming in with respiratory complaints, infectious complaints,” Dr. Ben Heavrin said.

Tammy Porter said she felt like she’d been run over.

“I’ve never been hit by no Mack truck, but somebody’s been hit by a truck, that’s the way I feel,” she said.

In a 12-hour span on Monday, 150 people passed through Vanderbilt’s emergency room, and every third patient had flu-like symptoms

“We want to know if patients, when they come in, if they are having trouble breathing, if their respiratory status is OK and generally how well they’re sizing up and how well they’re staying hydrated and what we can do to help them,” Heavrin said.

Several private schools closed on Friday because of high absentee rates.

There are some measures to take to decrease your chances of getting sick.

“Boy, the thing we practice and preach around here the most is wash your hands,” Heavrin said.

It’s not too late to get a flu shot.

“If you go ahead and get a shot and you're not infected with influenza, you're going to be immunized pretty quickly within several days,” said Heavrin.

Vanderbilt Hospital wants to remind people who are sick to start by going to see their primary care physician and not start at the emergency room.