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Just months away from the country's deadliest influenza season in decades, public health officials are urging people to get vaccinated, including in Whatcom County, where the flu is already making people sick.
"It starts," said Cindy Hollinsworth, Communicable Disease Manager, Whatcom County Department of Health.
In the United States, about 80,000 people have died from the disease and its complications during the last influenza season, said Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Associated Press. September.
Influenza has not been as deadly since at least since the mid-1970s, reported the AP.
There were approximately 900,000 hospitalizations last winter, which the CDC described as "record".
In Washington State, 296 people died as a result of influenza, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
The state agency said that thousands of others were hospitalized.
In Whatcom County, seven people died of influenza-related illnesses during the last influenza season.
Influenza activity in the United States is so weak this fall, although two laboratory-confirmed cases were reported last week in Whatcom County.
Last season, flu-like illnesses in the United States began to increase in November.
Epidemics can occur as early as October and last until May, although influenza usually peaks between December and February, the CDC said.
Now is the time to protect yourself by getting vaccinated against the flu, public health officials said.
"It's that time of year again," Hollinsworth said. "We should get it to protect us and protect each other."
Vaccine effectiveness varies from year to year, but public health officials say it still provides the best protection.
Some groups of people – young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions, and people 65 years of age and over – are at higher risk of complications from influenza. Public health officials urged these groups to be vaccinated against the flu, but said everyone can get the disease, including healthy and young people.
"Last year was one of the most severe influenza seasons ever recorded for Washington, and recently released data shows that only 61% of Washington children and adolescents have been vaccinated. It's important for us to protect each other this year, "said Dr. Kathy Lofy, the state's health officer.
So far this season, a child has died of the flu. A total of 183 people died during the last influenza season, according to the CDC.
And in case you're wondering, you can not get vaccinated against the flu.
"Influenza vaccines are made from inactivated (weakened) versions of the flu virus, so that the body can produce antibodies that fight the disease without causing infections," Hollinsworth explained.
"The influenza vaccine will not give you the flu, but you may experience mild symptoms, such as body aches and a mild fever associated with the flu, as your body strengthens its immune response."
Kie Relyea: 360-715-2234, @kierelyea
Do not know if you have a cold or flu? A difference between the two is that the symptoms of the flu will affect you quickly, while the symptoms of colds occur gradually. Other signs of flu are:
- Fever or feeling of fever or chills. However, not everyone with the flu has a fever.
- Cough
- Irritated throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body pains
- Headache
- Tired
- Vomiting and diarrhea, although this is more common in children than in adults
You may feel some or all of the symptoms.
Source: Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention
Prevent the spread of the flu
To get vaccinated: It's the best protection against the flu. The vaccine is recommended for people 6 months of age and older and especially for those at higher risk of influenza-related complications due to age or medical conditions. Pregnant women need to be vaccinated because they have a higher risk of complications and the transfer of antibodies to the fetus helps to protect them as infants. It takes about two weeks after vaccination to reach full strength.
Find the vaccine: Call your doctor or pharmacy, or go online to cdc.gov/flu and enter your postal code in "Influenza Vaccine Search" at the bottom right of the site.
Other steps: Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. Avoid touching your face and eyes. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough. Stay home from work and school if you are sick. Stay away from those who are sick.
Source: Whatcom County Health Department
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