The Washoe County Health District is reporting the first flu-related death of the 2018/19 flu season in Washoe County. The victim was over 65 years old and at risk for flu-related complications due to underlying medical conditions in addition to their advanced age. It does not appear that the individual had been vaccinated this year for the flu.
Washoe County says everyone 6 months of age and older is recommended to get an annual flu shot. Those at especially high-risk for complications from the flu are children under five years-old, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and persons with certain medical conditions including chronic lung disease, heart disease, and diabetes. It takes between one and two weeks after a flu shot for the vaccine to reach its optimum protection level. However, there are also other preventive measures everyone should practice all the time to prevent the flu and other illnesses. Those steps include:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
When you are sick, keep your distance from others and stay home from work, school, and errands.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Or, cough or sneeze into your sleeve. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Wash your hands often. This will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Practice other good health habits. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
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Pharmacists are still pushing for people to get their flu shot, even though we are in the middle of the flu season.Â
Tanya DeMichele is a pharmacist at a local Walgreens and she says it doesn't matter how far along we are into the flu and cold season, it is not too late to get your flu shot. "We have seen an increase and people are getting in earlier 'cause they want to be prepared because it takes 14 days to seeing antibodies," she explains. "Getting a flu shot is easy, it doesn't take much time, it is painless and it is worth it when you protect yourself and others."Â
Now according the Washoe County Health District last year's influenza season had the greatest number of confirmed cases ever reported in Washoe County in a single season with a total of 5,552 confirmed cases reported, 542 hospitalizations and 26 deaths due to influenza. You can read the report here:Â https://bit.ly/2BivgmC
According to Vaccine Effectiveness Studies done by the Centers for Disease Control getting the flu vaccine reduced the overall risk of going to the doctor for a flu illness by 40%. But not only can you get the flu shot to help prevent it, but you can also do some cleaning. "Washing your hands, washing your work stations, your keyboard, phone, door handles, toys, make sure you don't touch your nose, eyes or mouth," says DeMichele.Â
Walgreens says you can come by anytime your local Walgreens pharmacy is open and most insurances cover the cost of the flu shot. Plus, when you get a shot from Walgreens they will help provide a lifesaving vaccine to a child in a developing country.
