Flu is on the rise in Idaho and the nation

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that infects 5-20% of people every year. Symptoms include fever, headache and fatigue. Complications of the flu can lead to more serious illnesses, including death. Many people believe that influenza season occurs around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Certainly, that may occur during some years, but it is important to know that over 50% of the previous 9 influenza seasons in Idaho have demonstrated peak activity in February and March!

Although each case is not reported to public health in Idaho, influenza is a seasonal disease which is tracked in other ways because of its pandemic potential. Several methods have been established to track this disease in Idaho, allowing public health officials to know where flu activity is occurring, the severity of the flu season, and the type of virus strain or strains circulating.

Tracking methods

Influenza Sentinels: Approximately 10 Sentinel health care provider sites are recruited annually from across the state to be the eyes and ears out in the field. Sentinel providers are asked to report electronically the total patient visits weekly, by age group, and the percentage of visits for influenza-like illness (ILI). Figure 1 depicts the recent rise in visits specifically for ILI in Idaho by week* from a baseline of approximately 2% to approximately 8%. This trend is being seen across the nation. *(week 1= First week in January, week 52 = last week in December)

Laboratory Evaluation: The Idaho Bureau of Laboratories tests respiratory samples to determine the type of influenza viruses circulating. So far this influenza season there are three types known to be circulating in Idaho; Influenza A(H1N1), Influenza A(H3N2) and Influenza B. It is not unusual to find three different types of virus circulating during an influenza season.

Severity determination: Hospitalizations for laboratory-confirmed influenza infections are a way to gauge the severity of an influenza season. A few large hospitals in Idaho submit data regarding laboratory-confirmed influenza submissions to the Office of Epidemiology and Food Protection. A recent example is shown in Figure 2. As you can see, over the last few weeks of January and early February, hospital submissions have been on the rise. The Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics tracks influenza-related deaths annually. Although an average of 16 influenza-related deaths have occurred annually in Idaho over the last 8 influenza seasons (range: 3–38 deaths), as of this printing no deaths have yet been recorded in Idaho for the current 2007-2008 influenza season.

What can you do to prevent the flu?

Get vaccinated: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Flu activity can occur as late as May so getting a vaccine now may still offer protection for the duration of the season. Getting a vaccine is very important, and particularly for people at high risk for serious flu complications and their close contacts. People at high risk include infants, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart disease, and people 65 and older. One of the most serious flu-related complications is bacterial pneumonia, due to the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, another vaccine preventable respiratory illness. Persons over the age of 65 and those with certain chronic illnesses or a weakened immune system are at a higher risk of serious bacterial pneumonia and should receive a pneumonia shot at least once. Fortunately, the pneumonia shot can be given at the same time as the flu shot. Healthcare providers or local public health districts are good sources for receiving the flu or pneumonia vaccines. Please see your healthcare provider to determine what shots are right for you.

Other ways to protect yourself and others from infection
The influenza virus and other respiratory illnesses usually spread person-to-person through coughing and sneezing. People are urged to:
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing to prevent infecting other people.
• Avoid people who appear sick.
• Stay home from work when sick,
• Wash your hands frequently, especially after being out in the public. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth until you have washed your hands.
• Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids, eat nutritious foods and take part in physical activity to stay healthy.

For information about influenza and how to stay healthy, please visit www.cdc.gov/flu. For information about bacterial pneumonia, visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/streppneum_t.htm

Factoid Archives