RivCo's first flu-related death reported this season

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – A 60-year-old man died of the flu – the first documented flu-related death in Riverside County during the flu season, health officials said Friday.

"It's a tragic reminder that the flu still kills," said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, the county's public health officer. "We continue to recommend that community members be vaccinated against the flu."

According to Barbara Cole, disease control specialist from the county's Department of Public Health, 23 influenza-related deaths have been recorded, involving residents aged 64 or younger during the 2017-2018 influenza season. She added that the most recent victim had received a flu shot and died after hospitalization. A pre-existing health condition has probably exacerbated her condition, officials said.

During an appearance before the Board of Supervisors last month, Kaiser stressed the need for vaccinations by evoking the centennial of the 1918 influenza pandemic, when the so-called "Spanish flu" ravaged several continents . According to the Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 700,000 people died from influenza-related health problems in the United States at the time. An estimated 500 million infections worldwide, causing about 50 million deaths.

Kaiser acknowledged that last year's flu vaccines have only proven effective at 40% against viral strains that spread throughout the county and state. However, even at the lowest level of protection, "you're 40% less likely to get the flu, and even if you get the disease, it's usually less serious," he said.

Influenza is a respiratory disease characterized by fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache and body. Vomiting and diarrhea are also known to occur.

According to Cole, frequent hand washing and "social distancing" – avoiding symptoms – is the best way to avoid getting the flu, which is transmitted by droplets from coughing or sneezing. A sick person. People fighting infections should minimize contact with others until their symptoms lessen, she said.

Influenza vaccines are available at the Riverside University Medical Center in the Moreno Valley, at one of the county's 10 dispensaries, as well as at most pharmacies and doctors' offices.

The flu season usually extends from early autumn to early spring.

– By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock