|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, January 19, 2005
| Contact: |
Dr.
Diana Yu, Thurston/Lewis
County
Health
Officer, 360-786-5581 |
|
Thursdays
Dr. Yu is in
Lewis
County
and can be reached at 360-740-1316 |
Flu Season
Has Arrived in the South Sound
OLYMPIA
– Cases of influenza have been confirmed in Thurston and
Lewis
Counties
, marking the arrival of the 2005 flu season.
Health Officer Dr. Diana Yu says it’s typical for the illness to hit
at this time of year. “We have
been getting reports from clinics and doctor’s offices that they are now
seeing patients who have influenza-like-illness.
That usually means that the flu will spread a bit as folks who are ill
come in contact with other folks.”
Dr. Yu says people need to take steps not to spread
the flu if they get it. “We are
asking that folks take precautions to keep from spreading the illness at home,
at work or at school.” Steps to
halt the spread include-
§
Stay at home if you have a cough and a fever.
§
If asked, use a facemask while waiting in the doctor’s office,
clinic or hospital.
§
Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue while sneezing,
coughing, or blowing your nose.
§
Throw out used tissues as soon as possible after use.
§
Wash your hands with warm water and soap or alcohol-based
sanitizers, especially after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose, or after
handling used tissues.
§
Avoid large gatherings, especially where the elderly, the infirm
or young children are present.
Dr. Yu also says people can take steps to avoid getting
the flu including-
§
Washing your hands frequently, especially before eating or
touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
§
Avoiding sharing objects such as towels, cigarettes, lipstick,
toys and other objects where germs might be transferred from one person to
another.
§
Not sharing food, beverages, utensils, glasses or dishes with
others.
The Health Officer says there is still time for
families to consider flu shots and she reminds folks that it takes about two
weeks for immunity to develop after a shot is administered.
“In spite of the flu shot shortage we had late last year, there are
actually quite a few places where shots are now available, especially for
young children. Children under age
9 who received their first flu shots this year are not immune until they get a
booster dose.” Families who are
interested in obtaining flu shots should contact their family doctor or their
preferred clinic for information.
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