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UPDATE Posted on Oct. 28
At least one person has died this year in the region from influenza.
Washington State health officials report to Pierce County on Monday, Oct. 22, following an illness with flu-related complications.
Previous News Guard coverage
TO YOUR HEALTH: Flu Season Alert
Oregon Health Authority officials are urging everyone, 6 months and older, to get immunized against the flu.
As the start of influenza season approaches, health officials are urging families to schedule vaccines. The vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
What's Ahead?
OHA disease and vaccine experts say that the flu vaccine may be effective. While it's difficult to know exactly how bad this year is, OHA doctors say that it is the best way to prepare for it.
"They are the best protection against flu we have available," said OHA Public Health Physician Doctor Ann Thomas. "We can do our part in keeping up the numbers."
Flu vaccine is available from health care providers, local health departments and many pharmacies. The vaccine is free or low cost with most health insurance plans. To find flu vaccine clinic, visit http://www.flu.oregon.gov/ and use OHA's flu vaccine locator tool.
What is Influenza?
Flu is a virus that causes mild to severe respiratory illness. In severe cases it can lead to hospitalization and even death. The virus kills thousands of people in the U.S. each year. People with higher risk of severe illness include children, adults older than 65, pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions or weak immune systems. Oregon had two flu-related deaths of children during the 2017-2018 flu season.
Oregon Immunization Program data for the 2017-2018 flu season show that flu vaccination rates among some groups lag behind others. Officials worry that Latinos of all ages and African American seniors may be left unprotected if vaccination rates among the two groups do not increase. Latinos typically have high childhood immunization rates, yet only 39 percent of Latinos received a flu vaccine. African American seniors had a 61 percent vaccination rate compared to 73 percent for white seniors.
"It's not clear why immunization rates for these two groups are lower," OHA Immunization Program Manager Aaron Dunn said. "We want to call attention to it and hope that we will reach out to these groups to ensure everyone has an opportunity to get a flu vaccine."
Public health officials also encourage health care workers to get vaccinated for the flu. Immunize health care workers help prevent the spread of influenza in health care, particularly among hospitalized patients at high risk for complications of the elderly, with some chronic illnesses. Data on 2016-2017 Oregon health care worker influenza vaccination rates are available on the OHA website at https://apps.state.or.us/Forms/Served/le8628.pdf.
The Oregon Health Authority reported the deaths of two children in the state of complications of the flu season. The flowing are warning signs to watch for.
Emergency Warning Signs
In children
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
In adults
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Golden bread in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In addition to the above signs, get medical help right away for any one who has any of these signs:
- Being unable to eat
- Has trouble breathing
- Has no tears when crying
- Significantly less wet diapers than normal
Prevention
Additional ways people can help prevent flu:
- Stay home from work or school when you are sick and limit contact with others.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue out when you are done.
- Wash hands with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand if not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that have germs on them.
- Avoid getting coughed and sneezed on.
See a short video about the flu and vaccination at https://youtu.be/So1W4pNJ8OM and read more about the flu at thenewsguard.com.
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