SWEETWATER COUNTY — With flu activity reports stepping up across the state, residents are encouraged by the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) to take common-sense steps to avoid spreading influenza or becoming ill with the disease.
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. Influenza can sometimes cause severe illness and complications, and sometimes death.
“The influenza activity reported to us has clearly picked up in Wyoming recently,” said Reggie McClinton, surveillance epidemiologist with WDH. “Natrona County appears to be showing the highest level of influenza activity right now. Unfortunately, one of the reported cases from this county involved the death of an adult woman.”
Dr. Tracy Murphy, state epidemiologist with WDH, said influenza should not be taken for granted. “This can be a very serious disease for some people. Every flu season we see hospitalizations and deaths due to influenza and its complications.”
Murphy said common-sense measures can help slow or prevent influenza’s spread. “Covering your mouth and nose with your sleeve or a tissue when you sneeze and cough; frequently washing your hands; and staying home from work, school, day care and errands when you are ill can help,” he said.
Flu vaccines are also available in many locations; WDH recommends nearly everyone over the age of six months receive an annual flu vaccination. “We are not yet seeing widespread community transmission or the likely peak of flu activity for the season, so we encourage people who have not yet been vaccinated to do so,” Murphy said.
Murphy acknowledged flu vaccines are not able to offer guaranteed protection from every possible strain of influenza. “However, they remain the most effective and most important tool available to help prevent this often serious illness,” he said.
Murphy reminded residents it takes about two weeks for flu vaccines to offer effective protection, so those exposed to the flu during that time may still become ill.
Doctors may recommend prescription antiviral medications to help treat influenza. “For antiviral medications to be a good option, it is important to seek medical care quickly,” Murphy advised.
Prescription antiviral medications may be especially helpful for persons at higher risk for complications from flu such as young children, adults 65 years of age or older, persons with chronic medical conditions, persons with altered immune systems, women who are pregnant or soon after delivery, persons less than 19 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy for other conditions, those who are extremely overweight, and residents of nursing homes or other chronic-care facilities.
Murphy said residents who become ill should get lots of rest, drink plenty of liquids and avoid using alcohol or tobacco. “You may also take medications to relieve your symptoms, but should avoid giving products containing aspirin to children or teens with flu-like symptoms,” he said.
