Flu is here; health professionals say shot can still help

Nebraska is one of 21 states in the U. S. ranked at the highest level for the presence of influenza.
    With eight deaths already reported in Nebraska (no pediatric deaths), health professionals are cautioning area residents to be careful and for sick people to stay home.
    Melissa Propp, RN, with the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, noted Nebraska is in the red zone on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) influenza surveillance map, and people need to take it seriously.
    Propp said when she looked at the surveillance map this week, she was shocked by the number of “red” states.    
    Much of the Midwest, Southwest and West Coast are in the red zone right now. The means it’s a high risk time now, and state health professionals believe it likely hasn’t hit it’s peak yet.
    The flu symptoms aren’t fun, either, Propp said.
    “It’s like the worst cold you’ve ever had and with a fever,” she said.
    Influenza is very contagious and comes on fast, she said.
    Symptoms includes a high fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches.
    What’s unfortunate about it, Propp noted, is that people can spread influenza up to two days before they even have symptoms, and can continue to spread it 24 hours after their fever breaks.
    “People must stay home 24 hours after the fever is gone,” she said.
    Rhonda Sargent, Clinic Manager of the Chase County Clinics said there have been seven confirmed cases of influenza in Chase County. The clinic has been seeing a lot of flu-like symptoms and colds going around as well.
    “It’s that time of year,” said Sargent. “It’s very important for everyone to have good hand hygiene and to stay away from areas where germs are well known.”
    Within the last couple months, several cases hand, foot and mouth disease have been seen at the Wauneta clinic, according to Sargent.
    Prior to Christmas break, WP Schools’ Facebook page provided users information about the illness, its prevention and treatment.
    Tuesday, Missy Blackman at the Palisade Attendance Center said five students were absent due to sickness and that the school hasn’t seen an abnormal amount of illness.
    Angie Paisley, R.N., school nurse at Chase County Schools, said it hasn’t been overwhelming at Chase County Schools yet, but there have been about four positive influenza diagnoses there.
    “I think it’s just starting up here,” she said.
    Paisley agreed with Propp that it comes on fast if it is influenza. That sudden onset of symptoms is an early sign it could be influenza.
    “It’s a signal. The student comes to school feeling fine, then has a 103 temp by 10,” she said.
    Wauneta Care and Therapy Center administrator Lisa Kisinger said there hasn’t been any signs of flu at the center.
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