Richland County’s flu season has begun with a positive Influenza B case tested locally on November 22, 2014. The preliminary result was sent to the MT State Public Health Lab for confirmation. The person was not vaccinated with influenza vaccine yet this season.
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. Vaccination is recommended for all children 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 risk of complications from influenza illness and are strongly urged to get yearly influenza vaccinations.
In addition to vaccination please take other precautions to help limit the spread of the disease, including: Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, especially after contact with anyone who may be ill, 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.
The symptoms of influenza A and B are the same: fever, fatigue, body and muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, headache, chills, dizziness, and sore throat. Just as the initial symptoms appear to get better, respiratory problems (difficulty breathing, coughing, runny nose) begin to appear. You may catch influenza A or B when you breathe in the virus from someone else’s cough or sneeze; or when you touch a surface with the virus on it (such as a phone or faucet) and then your nose, mouth or eyes. The risk of infection from both influenza A and influenza B is higher in crowded public areas and living quarters. Influenza B can appear any time of the year. Both types begin to show symptoms within a week of exposure to the virus.
Contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist for vaccination availability. 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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