Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

First flu in County Confirmed

The first case of influenza in a Jefferson County resident was confirmed last week. The adult was not hospitalized but did seek medical care for the illness. Influenza (“the flu”) is a highly contagious illness that is often recognized by its sudden onset of fever, cough, body aches, and fatigue.

Statewide in recent weeks much influenza activity has been reported in Missoula County, as well as some in Flathead, Gallatin, and Park counties. Six people have been hospitalized and 50 infections confirmed since October 1st in Montana. Influenza A (both H1 and H3 strains) has been the culprit in Montana, but the CDC website is showing both influenza A and B reported by labs across the nation.

With holiday travel this week and next month, flu actvity in other parts of the nation can have a direct impact on our community’s health. The influenza virus incubates quickly (1-3 days), so it can sicken a person within a few days of being exposed, and easily spread to geographic regions previously unaffected by the illness.

According to DPHHS, 433 Montanans with influenza were hospitalized and 33 died last year; only about a third of those were vaccinated against the flu. Certain people are at higher risk for severe complications of the flu. These include children younger than 5 years, especially those with asthma, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and adults with chronic medical conditions such as heart and lung conditions, endocrine (diabetes) or metabolic disorders, and a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 30. See the CDC site here for more details regarding flu hospitalizations: http://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/FluHospChars.html.

A flu shot is recommended for prevention of the flu in all people 6 months and over, and takes about 2 weeks to become effective. Talk to your healthcare provider about scheduling your flu shot now. Immunizations can be scheduled at Boulder, Clancy or Whitehall offices by calling the Jefferson County Health Department @ 225-4007.

In addition to getting vaccinated we can protect ourselves and those around us with these actions:

• Wash our hands; it’s a basic hygiene measure that is protective to you and others.

• Cover our coughs and sneezes; if we don’t, we can propel those illness-causing bugs around three feet away.

• Stay home when we are ill; this allows the body to rest and heal, and limits contact with others in the process.

• Finally, exercise, get adequate sleep, and eat well; all of these have been shown to positively impact our immune system and our ability to fight and recover from illness.

 

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