Take steps to avoid catching, spreading flu

With the arrival of the seasonal flu, health officials in Merced and Stanislaus counties are urging people to lower their risk of catching the illness.

Kathleen Grassi, Merced County public health director, said no severe influenza cases have been reported to her agency thus far. The county Public Health Department receives notification of cases where individuals under age 65 are hospitalized for severe symptoms.

However, Grassi said, nationwide influenza cases have begun peaking earlier than normal this year. Flu season typically begins in January or February, she said, but people starting getting sick in December.

“It just really hasn’t hit California yet, including Merced and the Central Valley,” Grassi said. “We haven’t seen very many cases yet, but it will happen.”

Grassi said it’s not too late to get a flu vaccination, which can help reduce the severity of illness.

Merced County provides flu shots three days a week in Merced and twice a week in Los Banos. Residents without health insurance can pay using a sliding scale, Grassi said, but those who can’t afford payment will not be turned away.

The vaccines are offered from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Fridays at 260 E. 15th Street in Merced. In Los Banos, people can get a flu shot from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays at 415 F Street.

With the peak of the flu season still a month or two away, a vaccination should take effect in time to provide protection, experts said. Every year, flu vaccinations are recommended for adults and children age 6 months and older.

Health officials are recommending a flu shot, even though this year’s vaccine missed a prevalent strain that has been tracked in the United States.

The most common strain this year, called Influenza A H3N2, is considered more hazardous to children and seniors. Experts say the strain has been mutating into virulent types of H3N2 that are not specifically covered by the vaccine that’s available.

“It’s only a modest change in the virus between what’s in the vaccine and what’s out there circulating,” said Dr. Stuart Cohen, chief of infectious diseases at UC Davis Health System in Sacramento. “I wouldn’t totally give up on the vaccine.”

More than a dozen children died of the flu in the upper Midwest and Southern states before mid-December. Health officials in California, who usually have advance information on the severity of the seasonal flu, are heeding the warning it could be a harsh flu season.

Avoid work when ill

Beside getting vaccinated, other precautions can be taken to keep from spreading the flu. Adults should not work if they are sick, and children who are ill should not attend school. People should cough or sneeze into their sleeve or a tissue, and avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

Grassi said people can also protect themselves by washing their hands and avoiding others that are sick.

“If you’re sick, stay home until you’re better – that way we can prevent the spread of germs that cause influenza,” Grassi said. “If you’ve got a fever, don’t expose other people to what you have.”

Health officials advised those in high-risk groups to seek medical attention if they have flu symptoms, such as headache, body aches, chills, stuffy nose and fever.

Dr. Del Morris, medical director of Stanislaus County’s Health Services Agency, said antiviral treatment started within 48 hours of the first symptoms is recommended for vulnerable individuals, such as children less than a year old, adults 65 and older, and people with chronic illness.

Stanislaus County public health provides flu vaccinations for low-income residents and the uninsured at 820 Scenic Drive in Modesto. The suggested fee is $10 for a child and $27 per adult, but there is no charge for those unable to pay, a press release said. The vaccinations are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Friday. There is no need for appointments.

This story was originally published January 3, 2015 at 12:30 AM with the headline "Take steps to avoid catching, spreading flu."