|
January
30, 2007
Little Rock-- The Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health, reports that flu activity is greatly increasing around the state, and there is still flu vaccine available this year. Large absentee numbers are being reported in several school districts. Cumulative flu reports received by the Division of Health (DOH) as of January 28, 2007 show Arkansas has received positive test results of influenza A in the following counties: Ashley (1), Clay (4), Howard (1), Pope (3), Pulaski (7) and Washington (1) and positive test results for influenza B from: Columbia (3), Garland (1), Pike (2), Pulaski (1) and Union (1). DOH has reports of flu-like illness in all Arkansas counties EXCEPT: Boone, Fulton, Lee, Logan, Marion, Montgomery, Newton, Phillips, Scott, Searcy, and Stone.
The actual numbers of influenza cases could be somewhat higher as influenza is randomly reported to the DOH by healthcare professionals. Also, our surrounding states now report increased flu activity. Arkansans are encouraged to call their local health unit to see about flu shot availability.
The flu season in Arkansas usually runs from mid-December to March. The flu shot cost $15.00 for anyone not enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid, or the Vaccines for Children Program (the shot is free for enrollees).
Dr. Sandra Snow, DOH Communicable Disease Branch, said, “We would encourage all Arkansans to get a flu shot this year. Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. The single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated—either by the flu shot or by nasal spray.”
Good health habits and antiviral medications are other measures that can help protect against the flu.
- Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
- Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Clean your hands often.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
- Be aware of common Flu symptoms.
Influenza usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms:
- Fever (usually high)
- Headache
- Tiredness (can be extreme)
- Cough
|
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults)
|
Flu vaccines are safe, effective and cannot cause the flu. Each year, 25 to 50 million people in the U.S. are infected with annual flu. Roughly 36,000 Americans die from complications of the flu; another 200,000 are hospitalized. The flu is serious business—translating into employee absences, lost productivity and bottom-line losses. Healthy workers who have been vaccinated have 43 percent fewer sick days than unvaccinated workers.
Those most at risk for influenza disease complications are: those in nursing homes; individuals over 50 years of age; persons with chronic diseases of the heart, lung, and kidneys, or who have diabetes, asthma, immunosuppression, or severe forms of anemia; women who will be pregnant during flu season; children and teens on long-term aspirin therapy. Children 6-59 months of age, their family members and their out-of-home caregivers should receive the flu vaccine due to the increased probability of severe illness in this age group. Daycare situations make these children especially vulnerable.
Health care workers should also be vaccinated for influenza since they are at risk for passing influenza infection on to high-risk individuals. Remember once you get vaccinated, it takes your body about two weeks to make protective antibodies.
For more information on seasonal influenza, click on http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.
###
|
