This flu season started off with a meh, but it’s quickly becoming a my-oh-my.
After a relatively mild start, Bay Area public health department officials are now alerting residents that flu activity has increased to “widespread” levels here, and are recommending everyone 6 months and older — including pregnant women — get their annual flu shot as soon as possible.
Their urgent message is compounded by five flu-related deaths reported this season in adults younger than 65, including ones in Monterey, Solano and Napa counties, according to county health officials there.
“For many people, the flu can mean feeling miserable for a few days,” Dr. Sara Cody, health officer for Santa Clara County, said in a statement Friday.
“But for others, including very young children, the elderly, and those with chronic health problems or weakened immune systems, the flu can lead to severe illness and even death.”
Since flu activity in California has not yet peaked, Cody said, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
In the U.S., experts say, the number of reported flu cases usually reaches its highest levels between December and February, and may continue through May.
Bay Area public health officials say flu specimens that have been tested match very closely to the current vaccine strains, which means the vaccine is expected to provide good protection against the flu.
People at highest risk for severe complications from flu include adults 65 and older, children younger than age 5, pregnant women and those with medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease and weakened immune systems.
“Influenza vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect you and your family from the flu,” said Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. William Walker and San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Tomas Aragon in a joint statement Friday.
Because most of the flu outbreaks reported to the state this season have occurred in group settings, such as nursing homes, San Francisco public health officials said they are working closely with long-term care and assisted-living facilities to offer guidance on flu prevention and response.
In addition to getting the vaccine, health officials advise people to take the following steps to protect themselves and loved ones from the flu:
- Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue.
- If you do not have a tissue, cough into your elbow.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Stay home when you are sick and stay home until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours.
Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.
Health officials say people at higher risk of severe disease who show flu symptoms should contact their medical provider. Medical providers may prescribe antiviral medications that reduce the severity and duration of illness. Antibiotics are not effective against the flu.
Flu-associated deaths in people younger than 65 must be reported to the California Department of Public Health. The first flu-related fatality of the 2016-17 flu season occurred in Los Angeles County and was reported by the state on Nov. 30.
For privacy reasons, the department routinely does not release any other identifying information about victims, including gender, age, race, place of residence or their date of death.
For more information about flu, visit the California Department of Public Health influenza Web page.
To find a flu vaccine near you, visit the Vaccine Finder at https://vaccinefinder.org/.
