Medicine

State Health Officials: It's Not Too Late to Get a Flu Shot

January 28, 2018 23:19·
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The CDC said 37 children across the country have died from the flu so far this season.

"California is facing the same problem that most of the USA is facing", said Dr Karen Smith, Director of the California Department of Public Health, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Doctors told Channel 2 Action News they think this flu season could last through April, and doctors said you should get the flu shot, for you and your children, if you haven't already done it.

The flu vaccine was found to be only moderately effective this year at preventing the flu but does shorten the duration of the illness and prevents death. Experts say it's on track to be one of the worst seasons in years.

The flu can also trigger other serious complications, including inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissues, according to the CDC. The virulence and spread of the virus depend upon which one of the many circulating flu strains in the world happens to make it to our area.

As of Friday, more than 800 patients have been hospitalized with the flu in CT. Everyone six months and older is recommended for the vaccine with a few rare exceptions. Soap and water is best but alcohol based hand sanitizers can be used as well. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others with flu viruses for an even longer time.

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Mohan-Little says there's a good reason why you'd want to get a flu shot if you haven't.

"For the past three weeks, the entire country has been experiencing lots of flu, all at the same time", said Dan Jernigan, director of the Influenza Division at the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, part of the CDC.

And according to the state Health Department, anywhere from 12,000 to 56,000 deaths a year are caused by the flu nationwide, with 90 percent of those in people older than 65.

While the flu is common and typically leaves people suffering a fever and body aches that pass after a week, others have died within days of first falling ill. Best results are obtained when these medications are started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

It's especially important that people in these high risk groups get vaccinated, but it's also very important that people in these groups get medical attention quickly if they develop flu symptoms. Talk to your Doctor if you have any questions or concerns about getting the vaccine.

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