Residents encouraged to have flu shot

Local health administrators are encouraging area residents to stay healthy and receive influenza vaccinations, as the illness is becoming more widespread throughout the state and the nation.

Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a serious respiratory disease that can cause severe illness and even death.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, influenza is not a reportable condition within the state. Hospitalizations for laboratory-confirmed influenza are also not reportable on a statewide basis, making it hard to accurately track the severity of influenza within the state.

Influenza is transmitted from person to person through respiratory secretions spread by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with contaminated surfaces. Influenza activity is quickly becoming more widespread than the past few years, which comparatively were quite mild.

The Washington State Influenza Update, available on the Washington State Department of Health’s website, states between Jan. 6–12 the amount of positive influenza tests at commercial labs decreased in western Washington and increased in the eastern half of the state.

The Department of Health monitors influenza activity by collecting data from a sample of providers and emergency rooms that take individuals with influenza symptoms.

Every year, influenza causes many hospitalizations and even death, with the timing and severity remaining unpredictable. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) performs testing every year to determine if the circulating flu strains are similar to the strains in the vaccine.

This season, the Adams County Health Department reports the vaccine is a good match for the most common circulating strains. ACHD also recommends receiving a vaccination, as it is the best protection against influenza.

Flu vaccination is strongly recommended for everyone six months and older, especially for people with high-risk conditions, such as children, pregnant women, people 50 and over and individuals with serious medical conditions.

Children under the age of six months are too young to receive the vaccination and remain especially vulnerable to the diseases. Individuals coming in direct contact with babies are encouraged to be vaccinated.

Children under the age of nine who have not previously had the vaccination may require two doses to be fully protected. It takes two weeks after receiving the vaccination to be fully protected.

With the continuing increase in influenza cases, residents are encouraged to maintain and practice good health habits to prevent the spread of the illness. Simple things like washing your hands, staying home when sick, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding close contact, significantly reduce the chance of spreading influenza.

The ACHD advises individuals to seek emergency medical care immediately if children, teens or adults display the warning signs of influenza. In children and teens, signs of influenza can include trouble with controlled breathing, bluish skin color, lack of interaction, severe or persistent vomiting, or an improvement in symptoms that suddenly return with fever and a cough.

In adults, influenza signs can include difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, confusion, sudden dizziness, severe vomiting, or improvement in symptoms that suddenly return worse than before.

ACHD recommends people with severe or progressive influenza illness and ill people who are at increased risk of severe disease should be treated with anti-viral medication. Most people with influenza will be cared for at home, rather than in the hospital.

Individuals with the flu should stay at home until at least 24 hours after their fever resolves (without fever reducing medication) and follow the infection control practices listed above.

Those providing care to persons sick with influenza should also take steps to prevent transmission to themselves and others in the household.

For further information about influenza go to the following websites: http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/Flu.aspx or http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ or contact Adams County Health Department at 659-3316 or 509-488-2031.