Flu season starting in earnest

 

Last updated 12/20/2017 at 10:26am



Grant County Health District issued an alert for an influenza outbreak in the county Friday.

Health officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny said in the release that everyone six months old and older should immediately get a flu shot.

“Be aware of increasing influenza and influenza-like illnesses in Grant County and Washington state,” Brzezny stated.

The county has been receiving many influenza A and B cases in the past few weeks. There have been five influenza-related deaths in the state already this season, the report stated.

Coulee Medical Center reported Tuesday seeing the influenza A strain present in patients.

Flu shots really work, the health district report suggested. The district reported that flu shots last year reduced the chance that a child would end up in the doctor’s office by 60 percent and said that all healthcare facilities should enforce their policies regarding healthcare workers’ influenza vaccinations and masking.

The report stated that children 6-8 years old getting vaccinated for the first time, or who have previously only received one dose of vaccine in the past, should get two doses this season. The first dose should be given as soon as the vaccine is available to “prime” the immune system.

The second dose should be given at least 28 days later to build more and longer-lasting immune protection.

Brzezny said people with asthma, diabetes, chronic lung disease, heart disease, and people over 65 are among those who are at higher risk.

 

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