Nodaway County flu cases down from last year

Although three influenza cases were confirmed Thursday by area physicians, this year’s flu season has gotten off to a relatively slow start, according to Tabitha Frank, public health nurse for the Nodaway County Health Department.

The weather’s staying warmer has helped slow the spread of the flu, Frank said at mid-day Thursday, before the three newest cases were reported before the county health department closed for the day.

“People aren’t cooped up inside together,” Frank said. “People are still able to get outside and enjoy the fresh air.

“When you’re in close contact with people more often, you’re more likely to share more germs, of course,” he said.

Frank said the three latest cases pushed the county’s reported total for the year to four.

An earlier case, which required the patient to be hospitalized, was reported “in late August, maybe early September,” Frank said.

But the number of reported flu cases is below the base line for this time of year, not only in Nodaway County, but also across Missouri.

“Typically, flu season peaks in February, so we’re still a little bit away from that,” Frank said. “We haven’t really seen a whole lot of cases in our county that have been reported yet. Even compared to last year up to this point, we haven’t seen that many cases.”

For this time of year, temperatures across northwest Missouri are above average, but once temperatures settle into the seasonal average, Frank said the chance of getting the flu goes up.

Last year’s flu season was an abnormality compared to prior years considering the season started earlier and had a relatively long duration, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

During last year’s season, the CDC recorded the highest hospitalization rates among people 65 and older since it began keeping records started in 2005.

“The best thing a person can do to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot,” Frank said. “We haven’t seen a whole lot cases yet, but it’s best line of defense. It takes about two weeks for the protection to set in, so it’s better to get it sooner rather than later, but it’s never too late.”

Flu shots are available on a walk-in basis at the county health department at 2416 S. Main in Maryville; at the Hy-Vee, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart pharmacies, and at SSM Health Medical Group physicians’ offices, including the walk-up clinic.

The immunizations are available at the walk-up clinic, however, only if the patient has seen a physician in the past year.

If an individual isn’t comfortable getting a shot, there are several other ways to prevent getting the flu.

Other precautions include practicing normal personal hygiene.

“People should wash their hands with soap and warm water,” Frank said.

“People also need to make sure they’re covering their mouths when sneezing or coughing — that way those germs aren’t spread around,” the nurse said.

“And avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose and avoid close contact with sick people,” she added.

Frank said if an individual does come down with the flu, it’s important for them to avoid making contact with other people.

“We always encourage people to stay home from work or school — that way the germs can’t spread around,” Frank said. “An individual should stay home for 24 hours after their temperature is gone.”

If an individual begins to have flu-like symptoms, Frank said it’s important they contact their doctor right away.

Doctors can prescribe medication, but if it’s after the initial 48 hours of the illness, medications may not work as well, she said.