Flu Numbers High in Our Region

Livingston County Health Center would like to encourage residents to practice good flu prevention habits such as handwashing, social distancing and vaccination as our region is experiencing widespread flu activity at this point in the season.

Influenza activity is rising in the U.S. at this time, as well as in Missouri and our Northwest region in particular. Outpatient visits for influenza-like-illness are above the national baseline. Activity is expected to continue during the coming weeks.

The Northwest District has had 7,435 cases of influenza to date as of last week, 1,760 in the week alone.  In comparison, last year at this point in the flu season, the northwest district had 448 cases to date, and 14 individual positive cases during the week.   Flu activity is listed as “widespread” in our region, while last year at this time was “sporadic.”

Flu activity seems to be hitting children the worst, with numbers for 0-17 year olds testing positive for influenza exponentially higher than those 18 and over. 

Vaccination rates for influenza in Livingston County were down significantly this year.  Last year, 1513 kids 18 and under were vaccinated, as well as 885 adults 19 and older.   To date in 2016-2017, 466 kids 18 and under have been vaccinated, and 941 adults over 18.    Part of the large number of vaccinations of children last year was due to grant funding that allowed health center nurses to administer vaccine at all school sites, as well as the availability of FluMist intranasal vaccine.  During this flu season, the CDC determined FluMist to be less effective than believed, and many parents opted out of vaccination altogether. 

The Livingston County Health Center advises everyone who has not already received the flu vaccine get their shot now.  CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. It is still not too late to receive protection during the 2016-2017 flu season.

The CDC has determined that the influenza vaccine produced for this year’s flu season was a good match to the two viruses circulating in this area.   Those who were vaccinated and still caught the flu likely experienced less significant symptoms.

Your illness might be the flu if you have fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills or fatigue (tiredness). Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if you are at high risk for complications of the flu, you should consult your health care provider. It is very difficult to distinguish the flu from other infections on the basis of symptoms alone. Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care. However, if you have symptoms of flu and are in a high risk group, or are very sick and worried about your illness, contact your health care provider. There are tests that can determine if you have the flu. CDC also recommends prompt treatment with influenza antiviral drugs for people who are very sick with flu or people who are at high risk of flu illness who get flu.

If you get the flu, get plenty of rest, drink a lot of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco. Also, you can take medications such as Tylenol to relieve the fever and muscle aches associated with the flu. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever.

Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, except to get medical care or other necessities.  Keep sick children home from school and limit social activities to avoid spreading the illness. 

Practice good handwashing throughout the day and encourage family members to do so as well.  Clean and sanitize surfaces that may have been infected with flu virus. 

Those who would like to be immunized against influenza should call the health center at 646-5506 to schedule an appointment, or attend one of our Tuesday walk-in office visit days during regular hours.