Richland County’s flu season has begun, just as we enter the holiday season of family gatherings! There has been one positive Influenza B case and one positive Influenza A case tested locally during the past week. No one has been hospitalized and neither received a vaccination for this influenza season. The lab results were sent for confirmation by MT Public Health Laboratory in Helena.
Richland County Health Department wants residents to know that there is time to get a flu shot from the Health Department, a local healthcare provider or your choice of pharmacy.
The symptoms of influenza include a 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. People begin to show symptoms within a week of being exposed to the virus.
Vaccination remains the best prevention for influenza and influenza-related complications. Influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone from ages 6 months and older.
People who have any chronic health condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancers, immune suppressed, pregnant, and other compromised lung/respiratory diseases are at higher risk of complications from influenza illness and are strongly urged to get yearly influenza vaccinations. Please speak to your healthcare provider for specific questions related to your medical condition.
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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