First flu-related death of the season reported in east Idaho

Flu season typically peaks between January and March, so there’s still time to get a flu shot, Papich said.

The first flu-related death in Eastern Idaho Public Health’s boundaries was reported around Christmas, taking the state’s total death toll due to the illness to four as of Thursday.

Eight people in King County have died from the illness so far this season.

According to Southeastern Idaho Public Health, the deaths occurred in a man and woman.

The IDPH said a second confirmed flu death has been reported – an elderly man with underlying health conditions in central Iowa.

“We’re seeing a huge influx of people with flu or flu-like symptoms which is impacting our emergency department and patients admitted to the hospital”, said Providence Everett’s Chief Nursing Officer Liga Mezaraups.

Skowronski says the increase in social interaction over the holiday season means many people pass the flu around. According to the CDC, health care providers should continue to recommend the flu vaccination to all unvaccinated individuals older than 6 months, now and throughout the flu season.

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The bad news is that flu vaccines don’t tend to work as well against this particular strain, so you can still get it even if you’ve had your shot.

Those symptoms can come on quickly and include mostly respiratory problems, as well as a sore throat, fever, headache and fatigue.

As flu’s different strains dominate each year, different vaccines are needed every time to fight back the virus.

“Flu is very unpredictable”, Influenza Surveillance Coordinator Sarah Fenno said in a phone interview. What we stress is for people to take into account all prevention methods, and its never too late to get vaccinated.”.

Most people experience a mild illness, but it can develop into a severe infection that results in hospitalization and death.

The CDC has this handy fact sheet on flu symptoms, how the virus spreads (easily and with great skill!) and how long you are a walking health hazard (a day before symptoms begin and five to seven days after you get sick.) If you’re not sick yet, consider getting the flu shot.

Experts believe this year the flu shot is a better match for the strain now in circulation.

However, health officials say most people who have the flu are never formally tested for the virus.

Children with chronic health issues such as asthma, diabetes and disorders of the brain or nervous system, are at high risk of serious flu complications.

“We’re still spiking”, she said.