Kitsap County Washington sent this bulletin at 01/05/2018 02:51 PM PST
January 5, 2018
Influenza on the rise in Kitsap County
Five flu-related deaths reported in Kitsap County
KITSAP
COUNTY, WA— Influenza (the flu) is on the rise in Kitsap County, with five
influenza-related deaths reported to the Kitsap Public Health District since
November.
“We
want to express our sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones,”
said Dr. Susan Turner, Health Officer for Kitsap Public Health. "We also
want to remind those in higher risk groups to contact their doctor right away
if they begin to feel symptoms of the flu. Prompt antiviral treatment can be
lifesaving.”
Influenza
sends thousands of people to the hospital every year. The flu can cause days of
fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches. In some cases, the flu leads to
death. Even healthy people can become seriously sick or die from the flu.
The flu
can cause serious illness or hospitalization for some people, especially those
in these higher risk groups including:
Seniors
Children under age five
Pregnant women
People with diabetes, asthma, heart disease, extreme
obesity, weakened immune systems or other chronic medical conditions
Residents of long term care facilities
American Indians and Alaskan Natives
If
you are in one of these higher risk groups and you develop flu symptoms,
contact your healthcare provider right away. Antiviral medications taken within
a day or two after the flu symptoms start can help people at higher risk avoid
complications, including pneumonia, hospitalization, and death.
If
you have no underlying chronic health conditions and are not among the
high-risk groups, you can usually treat yourself or your child at home by
getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids.