Shelly Walter, a nurse who has contracted the flu and suffered serious complications, is photographed with her husband outside the Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital.(Photo: Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital)

As a nurse, Shelly Walter believes in flu shots.

Victim of the generalized flu of last season, she preaches this conviction with renewed fervor.

In March, Walter had a high fever, followed by a loss of memory. She was admitted to the McKee Medical Center in Loveland, suffering from influenza B and hypoxic respiratory failure – too little oxygen for the body to perform its basic functions.

The 55-year-old former health woman was "near the death gate" in the intensive care unit, where everything that went wrong was done, she added. "One complication resulted in another," including sepsis – a blood infection – a collapsed lung and more.

She had received her influenza vaccine, which is needed by most health care workers, but influenza B was not part of last year 's flu shot. This year, that's the case.

"I know the shot did not protect me from B because it was not there," she said. "Why I became so sick is a mystery, but I know that if you catch the flu, you can go down in a few hours."

That's why she believes strongly in flu vaccines. Although this has not prevented its flu, the vaccine generally decreases the severity and prevents people from transmitting the virus to vulnerable populations such as those over 65, children under 5, pregnant women and children. some people with chronic diseases. health department.

MORE: Larimer County Influenza Hospitalizations Hit Records: What You Need to Know

Last year's influenza season was unusually difficult, with 300 hospitalizations in Larimer County, according to the County Health Department. An infant died as a result of the flu, but the coroner was unable to confirm whether the flu was causing the baby's death.

Across the state, more than 4,600 people were hospitalized for influenza from October through May; 57% of them were 65 years old or older. The 2017-18 flu season has set a record for the number of hospitalizations in Colorado, according to the CDPHE.

"At the national level, the flu season was very severe, but (the vaccine) was not very effective," said Kori Wilford, spokesman for the department's health and environmental department. Larimer County.

"In years when the vaccine is not as effective, it can further decrease the severity of the disease" and make the difference between a week at home and a hospital stay, Wilford said.

Walter is one of the lucky ones. Statistically, only 20% of people in her resuscitation state survive, she said.

It's now time to get the flu shot, Wilford said. The Centers for Disease Control and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are encouraging people to get flu shots by the end of October.

MORE: Colorado health authorities say influenza-related hospitalizations are twice as high as average

Vaccines are currently available at most pharmacies and will soon be available at the Larimer County Department of Health. For a list of outlets selling influenza vaccines, visit vaccinfinder.org.

The vaccine usually takes two weeks to be effective, so the month of October is perfect to get it, Wilford said. This means that it is effective before closing the house, keeping germs in and before the holidays, when we travel by plane and that we meet more often with friends and members of the family in closed premises.

Health officials say that even if you do not get a flu shot in October, it's never too late.

Influenza cases usually begin to increase in October and usually peak in late December or early January, but cases can be observed until the end of February and up to March, said Wilford. .

Influenza vaccines are recommended for people over 6 months of age each year.

According to the state health department, this year, flu vaccination options are more numerous than ever, especially for young children and those with egg allergies.

After three weeks at the UTI and at the hospital, Walter was transferred to the North Colorado Long-Term Hospital in Johnstown, where she was suffering from complications such as toxic shock syndrome, acute cardiomyopathy, memory and

A few weeks later, she was transferred from the acute care hospital to her partner facility, the North Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital, for rehabilitation.

At first, she could not "lift the buttocks of the bed," but with care, love, and therapy, she came out of herself. A few months later, she almost regained all her strength and climbing practice in upstate New York State.

MORE: Months later, coroner can not confirm if flu has killed baby

How to tell if you have the flu

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza symptoms usually start abruptly rather than gradually. Infected people often feel some or all of these symptoms:

  • Fever or feeling of fever / chills (CDC notes that everyone with the flu will not have fever)
  • Cough
  • Irritated throat
  • Running or running nose
  • Body and muscle pains
  • Headache
  • Tired
  • Vomiting and diarrhea (some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, although this is more common in young children than adults)

If you catch the flu

Seek immediate medical attention to begin treatment options. Some treatments can reduce the severity and duration of the disease.

Influenza hospitalizations in Larimer County

(Note: the flu season is from October 1st to May 31st)

2008-09: 33

2009-10: 52

2010-11: 39

2011-12: 48

2012-13: 102

2013-14: 79

2014-15: 215

2015-16: 66

2016-17: 204

2017-18: 300

Prevention

Frequent washing of hands. Wash your hands with lukewarm water and soap for 20 seconds. Repeat the song "Happy Birthday" twice as a gauge.

Use hand sanitizers if hot water is not available.

Cover your cough. Cough in your elbow or your sleeve, not your hands.

Stay home from school or work if you are sick.

sources: Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, Larimer County Department of Health and Environment

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