Beware: Flu season is here
Fall season marks the beginning of flu season.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment urges Kansans to practice good hygiene and get flu shots to minimize the spread of illness and reduce the chances of getting sick.
Each year up to 20 percent of the population gets the flu and about 1,000 Kansans die from flu or its complications. The virus can be contracted from other people at school, work, stores, or sporting events.
Vaccinations are available from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. every Wednesday until all are dispensed at Marion County Health Department, 230 E. Main, Marion.
Influenza is a contagious, respiratory illness caused by a virus. Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, and muscle aches. Complications can include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of other chronic conditions.
It can be spread from person-to-person by coughing and sneezing, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching the nose or mouth.
Each year, the virus mutates into various strains and a new vaccine is created to combat the strain that is most like to emerge as the most contagious.
KDHE says the best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each fall. October and November are ideal months to receive the vaccine. However, a person can still be protected by getting a flu shot in December or later. It takes at least two weeks to built immunity after getting the shot. The vaccine itself cannot cause the flu because it does not contain any live virus.
KDHE and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention especially recommend the following groups receive a flu shot each year: children ages six months to 5 years, pregnant women, people 50 and older, those with chronic medical conditions, residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities, household contacts of people at high-risk of contracting the flu, household contacts of children under six months of age, and health care workers.
Certain groups should not be vaccinated — those with a severe allergy to chicken eggs or to the flu vaccination in the past, and infants younger than six months old.
Proper hygiene goes a long way in preventing transmission, KDHE said. Wash hands regularly, especially before eating, and after using the bathroom. Cover coughs and sneezes. Stay home from work or school when sick.
People who contract the flu should get plenty of rest, drink a lot of water, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco. Take a non-aspirin pain reliever to help reduce fever. Over-the-counter products may be effective to alleviate cough and body aches. Doctors may recommend use of an anti-viral medication to help treat the flu. Anti-viral treatments last for five days and must be started within two days of illness, authorities said.
