 In Logan County, the first confirmed lab report of flu this season
was made on Nov. 5. This officially launched the dreaded flu season
five weeks earlier than last year and heightened concerns for what
might come.
Last year the first two lab-confirmed cases of flu did not come
until Dec. 12 and 17. The majority of positive cases were in January
and February. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, last
year followed the common pattern for the flu season.
Margie Harris, assistant administrator and director of nursing
for the Logan County Department of Public Health, reports that there
have now been three lab-confirmed cases of influenza A: a
19-year-old female on Nov. 5, a 30-year-old male on Nov. 14 and a
25-year-old female on Nov. 28.
What health officials want you to know is that you can reduce
your risks of illness by two means: vaccination and good hygienic
practices. Harris said that none of the three people with the
confirmed flu had been vaccinated against the flu.
Vaccines take one to two weeks to take effect. Getting vaccinated
in mid-December would still protect people from this year's most
anticipated strain of the disease.
Harris says, "The current flu shot does protect against this
influenza A strain." She adds, "We do not have a shortage of
vaccines -- plenty to go around! It's never too late to vaccinate."
How have people responded in Logan County this year?
Harris reported that as of Dec. 1, approximately 15 percent of
Logan County's general population (4,554 people) has been vaccinated
against the flu. This is the number of vaccines given by the health
department, Family Medical Center, Lincoln Healthcare Specialists,
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Stacy's Pharmacy, Walgreens,
Lincoln College, SIU Clinic in Mount Pulaski, CVS Pharmacy, Wal-Mart
and Lincoln Community High School.
In addition, Kroger reported providing more than 100
vaccinations.
These figures do not include vaccines given at nursing homes, and
"their vaccination rates are usually high," Harris said.
Seasonal flu trends closely monitored
Typically the greatest spread of flu and flulike illnesses begins
to show in December and mounts in January and February. Year-round,
health officials at national, state and county levels gather and
share information on what illnesses are being reported. They monitor
the spread of the flu, the type identified by lab reports, and
numbers and ages of people affected. Health officials would alert
the public if there would be a lot of people getting sick or if
there would be a more intense strain causing greater numbers of
hospitalizations or deaths.
[to top of second column] |
Current flu conditions
The CDC tracks flu reports on a week-by-week basis. There is a
quick way to see where the flu has spread in the nation. A look at
their map (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm)
indicates that Illinois and most of the bordering states have
sporadic flu activity currently reported, and about half of the
states do not have flu yet.
The CDC also collects other significant information on flu,
including the numbers of cases and the type of flu reported in a
region. Illinois is in the East North Central reporting area. The
last report, for the week ending Dec. 6, indicated that reported
cases and other details were within normal range, not only in
Illinois, but also in all parts of the nation. (National
and Regional Summary of Select Surveillance Components by Region)
What else can you do to avoid getting the flu?
-
Wash hands
frequently with soap and warm water.
-
Cover your nose and
mouth when you cough and sneeze, preferably with a facial tissue
or your arm, not your hands.
-
Avoid close contact
with people who are sick.
-
When you are sick,
keep your distance from others to protect them from getting
sick. Stay home from work or school until you recover.
-
Contact your
medical provider if you are experiencing severe symptoms that
you believe require medical attention.
-
Do not share things
that go into the mouth, such as drinking cups, straws, etc.
-
Frequently clean
commonly touched surfaces if someone in your house has a cold or
the flu.
-
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
while in public, as these areas act as portals for bacteria and
viruses to enter your body.
--Tips from the Illinois Department of Public Health
The Logan County Department of Public Health is located at 109
Third St. in Lincoln. Hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Phone 217-735-2317.
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
For more information on
flu and flu vaccines, see:
 |
