Flu season overstays its welcome

The one nice thing about an intestinal virus going around the Flathead Valley is that it leaves no room for ambivalence about whether to try to go to work.

Work isn't an option when the bug hits.

The stomach virus and true influenza have taken a toll on residents young and old, according to community health nurse Elaine Sedlack with the city-county health department.

By last Friday, at least three nursing homes were restricting visitors because of concerns about the illnesses, Sedlack said. Some of those restrictions may have been lifted, she said Tuesday, but the flu is still making a strong and unusually extended showing in the Flathead Valley.

The first cases of influenza hit around Thanksgiving this year. That's earlier than normal.

"It usually peaks in three or four weeks" after the first reports, Sedlack said. That didn't happen this year, she said. Confirmed cases of the flu have increased in the last few weeks.

Separate from the flu, many people have contracted a stomach virus that comes on quickly and lasts 24 to 48 hours. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

People with the virus are still contagious for up to 48 hours after the diarrhea stops, Sedlack said.

A couple of specimens have been submitted to the state laboratory to determine whether the virus is Norwalk, known for its rapid infection on cruise ships in recent years. There are no results back on the tests yet, Sedlack said.

At Kalispell Junior High School on Tuesday, there were 148 students absent.

"That's about twice as many as we usually have," said Sharon Hufstetler in the attendance office.

School nurse Sonya Milheim said she hasn't seen a lot of influenza, but students who have it generally stay home with their symptoms.

Instead, "I've seen a ton of stomach/GI [gastrointestinal] stuff," Milheim said.

Some students start the school day feeling a little off and then get ambushed by the virus during the day.

"When they're green, you can tell," Milheim said.

The elderly and very young are most at risk for serious complications from the viruses. While elderly people may have had flu shots, it is still possible for them to contract the flu, with more limited symptoms of fever, headache, dry cough, body aches and fatigue.

Antiviral medications have been used with good results in nursing homes this year, Sedlack said.

She said that newborns should be protected from the viruses.

It used to be that infants and their mothers were sheltered more from public exposure. Now babies as young as a day old are out in public, Sedlack said.

Treatment for both influenza and the stomach virus is similar and familiar, Sedlack said.

"Keep from getting dehydrated. Rest. Stay home if you're sick. Wash your hands," she advised.

Reporter Chery Sabol may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at csabol@dailyinterlake.com