Lake County General Health District hosting two more flu clinics

The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting the first child death this season related to the flu.

The health district said in a report released Thursday that a total of seven Washoe County residents have died this flu season dating to October 1.

“Our experiments suggest that influenza virus antigens grown in systems other than eggs are more likely to elicit protective antibody responses against H3N2 viruses that are now circulating”, he said in a press release.

“Catching flu on top of these can easily develop into something very serious and could get bad enough to require hospital treatment”.

Flu season is well on its way to peaking early.

Medical professionals are encouraging anyone 6 months and older who hasn’t had a flu shot to get one.

“Our healthcare system has been stressed even here in Minnesota trying to find room for all these people”, MDH infectious disease Dr. Greg Siwek said.

Flu cases are up sharply this season and OH is not exempt. “Influenza B typically affects younger people”, explains Kendall. More than 400 people have died from the flu around the country.

“It’s already three to four times the normal flu season”.

That’s leading to a sharp rise in hospitalizations of people with laboratory confirmed flu, Jernigan said, citing numbers reported by hospitals. Because the viruses mutate so quickly – and because different strains can be more unsafe – a mismatch between the vaccine and the circulating strain can lead to a ramped-up flu season.

This year’s flu season has been dominated by a particularly nasty bug, and health officials say it has now reached nearly every corner of the country.

Dr. David Lakey, chairman of the Texas Medical Association Council on Science and Public Health, said the flu can put even the healthiest person in bed for a few days.

According to the department’s weekly influenza service report, there were high levels of influenza and influenza-like illness in Texas during the last week of 2017.

“We think that the maximum amount of influenza activity likely peaked in the last week of December”, she said.

If you start experiencing any flu-like symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose or body aches, see a doctor immediately. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. “Be sure to wash your hands, particularly if you are sick yourself”, Harris said. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.