|
Flu claims eight this season in North Idaho |
|
January 4, 2018 |
 |
Officials from Spokane Regional Health District
(SRHD) and Panhandle Health District (PHD) are
seeing marked increases in flu hospitalizations
and deaths, prompting a reminder to residents in
both areas to get vaccinated and, if a person
does become ill, to consult with a healthcare
provider about diagnosis and possible treatment
with antiviral drugs.
This season, 157 individuals have been
hospitalized in Spokane County with
laboratory-confirmed flu, compared to 43
admissions during the same period last year;
seven deaths are now attributed to flu in the
county, compared to zero deaths at this time
last year.
Idaho has had 13 deaths so far this season,
making it the deadliest for this time of year
since 2010. Eight of those deaths have been
within Panhandle Health District, Idaho’s five
most northern counties.
It is recommended that all people six months of
age and older get immunized against flu. The
vaccine promotes antibody protection within two
weeks.
“We are seeing flu cases throughout northern
Idaho,” said Jeff Lee, PHD epidemiologist.
“Typically, the peak of the flu season is
January through March, so it’s not too late to
get a flu shot.”
According to Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), while vaccine effectiveness
can vary, recent studies show that flu
vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by
between 40% and 60% during seasons when most
circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the
flu vaccine.
Flu vaccination may also reduce flu illness
severity; so, while someone who is vaccinated
may still get infected, their illness may be
milder.
The flu vaccine works best among healthy adults
and older children. Some older people and people
with certain chronic illnesses might develop
less immunity than healthy children and adults
after vaccination. However, even for these
people, the flu vaccine still may provide some
protection.
“Most people who get the flu will have mild
illness and recover quickly, but certain groups
are at high risk for developing flu
complications that can sometimes result in
hospitalization and occasionally death,” said
Mark Springer, SRHD epidemiologist. “Your best
chance at protecting your loved ones, and
yourself, from flu is to get a flu shot.”
People who have the flu often feel some or all
of these symptoms:
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Extreme fatigue
When it comes to flu and seeking care from a
healthcare provider, those people at higher risk
of complications should call and consult with
their provider when ill. Additionally, while
most people who do become ill with flu can be
safely cared for at home, there are some
symptoms, like trouble breathing, that should
trigger immediate emergency care.
Sick individuals should also talk to their
providers about antiviral drugs, an important
second line of defense that can be used to treat
flu illness. Health officials recommend the use
of antiviral drugs as early as possible to treat
flu illness in people who are very sick with flu
and those at high risk of serious flu
complications.
Flu viruses spread when people with flu expel
droplets from their mouths or noses while
coughing, sneezing or talking. These droplets
can land in the mouths or noses of people who
are nearby. People can also get flu by touching
a surface or object that has flu virus on it and
then touching their own mouth, eyes or nose. In
addition to flu vaccination, both health
districts also recommend frequent hand washing
with warm water and soap, covering coughs and
sneezes and staying home if sick.
For more information about influenza and
influenza vaccine visit
cdc.gov/flu,
srhd.org or
panhandlehealthdistrict.org. Flu shots are
now available at all of Panhandle Health
District’s Care Plus clinics. Spokane Regional
Health District’s website also offers
comprehensive, updated information about Spokane
Regional Health District and its triumphs in
making Spokane a safer and healthier community.
Become a fan of SRHD on Facebook to receive
local safety and wellness tips. People can also
follow the health district on Twitter
@spokanehealth. |
|
Questions or comments about this
letter?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
