Health officials ask for precaution against spreading influenza as county records more than 300 cases

Influenza is now considered widespread in Montana and Flathead County has recorded more than 300 cases of the virus.

Flathead County health officials are acknowledging concerns regarding the influenza outbreak locally and nationwide, and reminding folks to take precautions to not spread the flu.

“So far for the 2017-2018 influenza season, Flathead County has had more than 300 cases of influenza, more than 40 people hospitalized due to influenza and five influenza-related deaths,” said Flathead City-County Health Department Health Officer Hillary Hanson, in a release. “We are about two weeks ahead of where we were last year at this time.”

The health department, in collaboration with Kalispell Regional Healthcare, is addressing concerns and all healthcare facilities are requesting that anyone who is feeling sick or showing flu symptoms stay at home.

The Montana Department of Health and Human Services reported 1,931 cases of flu in the state through Jan. 13.

The flu vaccine has been 30 percent effective in 2018 compared to an average of 40 percent effectiveness over the last 13 years, according to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Influenza continues to be one of our top public health concerns,” said Hanson. “It is not too late to receive the vaccination, which will help reduce the likelihood of contracting the virus as well as protecting our most vulnerable populations.

Medical experts are urging hand hygiene as one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness — hand washing, hand sanitizer, and covering a cough can help prevent illness.

Visitor restrictions may be in place at various healthcare facilities throughout flu season and folks are asked to check with such facilities before arriving to determine visitor or age restrictions are in place.

For those that do experience flu symptoms or are diagnosed with the flu, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol, before returning to or participating in work, school, travel, shopping, social events and public gatherings.

Flu season activity can last as late as May, so it is important that residents work to protect themselves and their families by being vaccinated, staying home when sick except to seek medical care, and maintaining hand hygiene.

The CDC states that most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.

However, if you have symptoms of flu and are in a high-risk group such as young children, people 65 and older, or pregnant women, or are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider.

While many cases of flu do not require an emergency medical visit, some symptoms can develop that necessitate a visit to the emergency department.

Emergency warning signs of flu sickness and when to visit the ER depend on the age of the person with the flu.

For children symptoms include, fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, not waking up or not interacting, being so irritable that the child does not want to be held, flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough and fever with a rash. For infants the symptoms include all of those for children, and in addition, being unable to eat, has trouble breathing, has no tears when crying, significantly fewer wet diapers than normal. For adults symptoms include, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting and flu-like symptoms that improve, but then return with fever and worse cough.

There are other alternatives to going to the ER including urgent care practices, and virtual urgent care such as KRH Care Anywhere, which allows patients to receive diagnosis and medical recommendations via a secure online connection. KRH Care Anywhere is $45 per use and can be accessed online at: www.krhcareanywhere.org.