Health Department Warns Influenza Season Beginning
publish date: Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Three Rivers Public Health Department (3RPHD) has not yet received reports of influenza cases, but expects to see influenza activity increasing over the coming weeks. “Flu activity is imminent across Nebraska and our district,” said Terra Uhing, Executive Director at Three Rivers. Three Rivers does weekly surveillance with long term care facilities, hospitals, and schools to track the influenza like illness activity level in the district.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the best way to prevent flu and protect yourself and others from serious complications is to get an annual flu vaccination. In 2014, a statistically greater percentage of residents in the 3RPHD district received their flu vaccination in comparison to the percentage of Nebraskans who were up to date on their influenza vaccine. It is not too late to get vaccinated for influenza. For those who haven’t received their flu shot this season contact your local healthcare provider to check for availability. 3RPHD has a plentiful supply of vaccine; those interested are asked to contact them at (402) 727-5396 in Fremont or (402) 443-4603 in Wahoo.
Good health habits and simple hygiene practices can also go a long way toward preventing the flu and other illnesses such as the common cold.
- Wash your hands often to help protect you from germs.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, if possible.
- Keep your distance from others when you are sick, to protect them from becoming infected.
- Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick, if possible, to help prevent others from catching your illness.
- Cough and sneeze into an elbow instead of hands to help prevent the spread of germs to others.
- Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if you are at high risk for complications of the flu, you should consult your health care provider. Those at high risk for complications include people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and young children.
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