Richland County’s flu season has begun with a positive Influenza A case tested locally on December 14th, 2016. The preliminary result was confirmed on December 16th by MT State Public Health Lab showing Influenza A-Seasonal H3. The 53 yr old male was hospitalized and was not vaccinated for this influenza season.
The symptoms of influenza: sudden onset of fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache, chest discomfort and a cough. A person may experience all or most of these symptoms. You may catch influenza or the “flu” when you breathe in the virus from someone else’s cough or when you touch a surface with the virus on it (such as a phone or faucet) and then touch your nose, mouth or eyes. The risk of infection from influenza is higher in crowded public areas and living quarters. Persons begin to show symptoms within a week of being exposed to the virus.
Richland County Health Department wants residents to know there is time to get a flu shot from the health department, local healthcare provider or pharmacy.
Vaccination remains the best prevention for influenza and influenza related complications. Influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone from ages 6 months and older. Persons who have any chronic health condition (diabetes, heart disease, cancers, immune suppressed, pregnant, have compromised lung/respiratory diseases, etc,) are at higher risk of complications from influenza illness and are strongly urged to get yearly influenza vaccinations. Influenza vaccine for this 2016-17 season covers the Influenza A-Seasonal H3 along with 2009 H1N1and two influenza B strains.
In addition to vaccination please take precautions to limit the spread of disease, including:
• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently;
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
• Stay home from work, school, daycare and large gatherings when you’re sick;
• Get plenty of rest; and
• Eat nutritious foods and drink plenty of fluids.
Vaccinations are given Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday from noon to 4:30 pm at the Richland County Health Department located in Community Services Building. No appointment is needed but you may call 433-2207 for more information.
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