Flathead health officials confirm first flu case in over a year

Flathead County confirmed its first flu case of the season on Thursday.

According to the Flathead County Department of Health, the only confirmed case is influenza A. It is the first confirmed case of influenza in Montana since April 2020.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting 121 confirmed influenza cases as of October 16. Tracking CDC influenza activity has shown “minimal” cases in Montana. However, the flu was more prevalent in the surrounding states of Idaho, Wyoming, and North Dakota.

National and national influenza activity is currently low, but health officials note that activity tends to peak in December and January.

While there were no confirmed cases of the flu in Montana during the 2020-21 season, the 2019-20 season saw more than 11,000 cases, including 514 hospitalizations and 41 deaths. Flathead County reported 1,190 cases of the flu that season.

Flathead County health worker Joe Russell notes that a flu shot is widely viewed as the best way to prevent flu.

“Influenza is a serious illness because it can spread quickly and have serious consequences in the high-risk population,” Russell said. “If you haven’t already, now is the time to get the vaccine. “

Flu shots are available by appointment at the Flathead City-County Department of Health Immunization Clinic. People can call 406-751-8110 to make an appointment.

THE ARRIVAL flu season comes as Covid-19 cases increase in the region. Flathead County reported 1,178 active cases of Covid on Thursday, including 56 hospitalizations.

Both flu and Covid are contagious respiratory illnesses, CDC says, but Covid appears to spread more easily and cause more severe symptoms.

The CDC adds that because some of the flu and Covid symptoms are similar, the difference between them cannot be made on the basis of symptoms alone. Tests are needed to determine the nature of the disease and to confirm a diagnosis. People can be infected with both the flu and the virus that causes Covid at the same time and show symptoms of both.

According to the CDC, common symptoms that Covid and the flu share include: fever or a feeling of fever / chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue (fatigue), sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle pain or stiffness. , headache, vomiting and diarrhea, and change or loss of taste or smell, although this is more common with COVID-19.

With the flu, people usually get sick one to four days after being infected. Most people with the flu are contagious for about a day before they develop symptoms.

With Covid, a person typically exhibits symptoms around 5 days after becoming infected. The length of time that a person can spread the virus that causes Covid is still under investigation, the CDC adds.

The Department of Health notes that anyone aged 6 months and over can get the flu shot. It takes up to two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu. Vaccination to prevent influenza is especially important for people at high risk of serious complications from the flu, including:

• People aged 65 and over

• Children under 5 years old, but especially under 2 years old

• People with certain chronic health problems such as asthma and COPD, diabetes (type 1 and 2), heart disease, neurological problems and certain other health problems.

•Pregnant women

Other ways to prevent spreading the flu include covering up a cough, washing your hands frequently, and staying home when you are sick. The flu virus is usually passed from person to person by coughing or sneezing. It is also possible to get infected by touching an object containing the influenza virus and then touching your mouth, nose or possibly eyes. Most adults are contagious one day before they have symptoms and up to five to seven days after becoming ill.