First case of flu confirmed in Flathead
After a late start, influenza season officially has arrived in the Flathead Valley.
By CANDACE CHASE
The Daily Inter Lake
After a late start, influenza season officially has arrived in the Flathead Valley.
The Flathead City-County Health Department on Monday confirmed a case of flu here. Cases also appeared in Yellowstone, Gallatin, Toole and Cascade counties.
Public health nurse Allison Bishop said just one case was confirmed positive in the Flathead Valley. However, not all people who become ill see a health-care provider and get tested for the flu.
Bishop encouraged people to consider a vaccination to prevent disease. The health department has vaccinations for all ages, beginning at 6 months, at walk-in clinics:
. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m.
. Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
An immunization provides protection within two weeks and lasts about six months. Infants and children under 9 receiving their first dose this year need to get a second shot four weeks after the first.
Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches and sometimes - particularly in children - nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
According to Bishop, the department has had a lot of calls from people experiencing symptoms of other respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses and strep throat.
To keep from spreading disease, health officials say a person should cover coughs, wash hands frequently and stay home when ill.
Influenza virus spreads from person to person by coughing or sneezing. A person may become infectious one day before symptoms occur.
More than 30,000 people die each year in America from the flu or complications of the flu. Complications include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma and congestive heart failure.
For additional information, call the community health division at 751-8110.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.