Media release: Georgia, the first state in the nation to see significant seasonal flu activity this year, is now experiencing regional influenza, less pervasive than the widespread level reached late last year, but still a public health concern. The latest measure is for the last week in December, the holiday lull when many people are home from school and work and not spreading germs as widely as usual.
Conversely, "holiday gatherings and travel often help spread flu, so it's not unusual to see an uptick in cases this time of year," said Northwest Georgia Public Health spokesman Logan Boss. "That may be what's happening now. We had some relief over the holidays, but as people return to school and work, we would typically expect to see more flu cases develop."
Public health officials are reminding that it's not too late to get a flu shot for protection. "Getting the flu shot is the single best way to prevent yourself and your loved ones from getting flu and also helps prevent its spread to others, "said Northwest Georgia Public Health's Dr. Wade Sellers. "Once you get vaccinated, your body makes protective antibodies in about two weeks. Flu season typically peaks in Georgia in early-to-mid February and can run into the spring, so it's not too late to get a flu shot and still get the protection it affords this flu season."
"The U.S. flu season has to begin somewhere, this year it was the Southeast. We're seeing more and more influenza cases in the state, including here in northwest Georgia," said Boss. "Holiday gatherings and travel often help spread flu, so it's not unusual to see an uptick in cases this time of year."
In some cases, the flu has turned deadly. Six Georgians have died of influenza this flu season, one last November and five in December, according to Boss, though none have been in the ten-county northwest Georgia public health district. "Our experience over many flu seasons is that, on average, there are some 30,000 to 40,000 extra deaths nationwide we believe wouldn't have happened if the people hadn't gotten the flu. Some years it's much more, some years it's much less."
"Even if it's not deadly, the flu can make you severely ill. It can require hospitalization, time off of work and, in the case of a child, a parent taking time off from work," Boss said. "Flu, even in its most common form of a self-limiting illness with complete recovery, is often a miserable affair during its acute phase and can leave a person debilitated for extended periods afterwards. For some there's nothing mild or self-limiting about it. A bout with the flu can become a mortal threat that can make good on its fatal potential," Boss said.
"There is plenty of vaccine available and more places than ever to get vaccinated," according Boss. "Local county health departments, private physicians, healthcare clinics and many retailers are offering the vaccine." Bartow County Health Department Nurse Manager Cathy Green noted "we still have flu shots and nasal mist available for the public and plenty of free vaccine for eligible, uninsured children. People should call 770-382-1920 for information or an appointment. Cost is $10, and we accept Medicare and state health benefit insurance."
Green also noted the success of the health department's unique pilot program to provide influenza vaccinations through the Cartersville City and
Bartow County school systems. "School nurses have administered nearly 5,671 free doses of flu vaccine over the past six weeks. We're very pleased with participation in this program, which was designed to raise our childhood-influenza immunization rate."
Green emphasized that the health department has free flu vaccine -- both the flu shot and the nasal spray -- available for school-age children who may have missed getting their vaccination through the in-school program. "We encourage parents of any kids who didn't get their flu vaccine at school to bring them to the health department for a free flu shot or nasal mist."
Last year, Georgia had one of the lowest rates of childhood-influenza vaccination in the nation with only 31 percent of the state's children, ages 6 months to 18 years, getting vaccinated. "That puts nearly two in three children at risk of getting influenza and spreading it to others," according to Green.
Georgians lag slightly behind the nation when it comes to embracing flu shots, according to Boss. Among those 65 and over, a crucial group for protection, an estimated 66.6 percent of Georgians got the vaccine last year, compared with 70.1 percent of elderly people nationally.
Boss emphasized that influenza is extremely unpredictable and noted each flu season is unique. "The timing and duration of flu seasons vary, and distribution of the disease often random. For example, while flu activity is currently widespread in Georgia, the US as a whole is having a very mild season, yet the United Kingdom is getting punched."
By this time last year, the nation had already been hit hard by the H1N1 pandemic. While H1N1 is circulating this year, another flu strain is more prevalent, health officials said. A well-known Type A flu strain, H3N2, is causing most of the illness around the country so far this flu season. H3n2 tends to trigger more pneumonia and other complications than other influenza strains.
This year's flu vaccine includes three different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season. "There seems to be a good match this season between the vaccine and the circulating flu viruses," said Boss, "so vaccine effectiveness should be high."
Widespread influenza activity in Georgia offers yet another incentive to get the flu vaccine, which is recommended this year for everyone over 6 months old and especially for those at high-risk of flu complications. High-risk
groups include:
· Children 6 months through 18 years of age
· People 50 years and older
· People with chronic diseases such as diabetes or asthma
· People living in nursing homes or long-term care homes
· Women who are pregnant
· Health care providers
In addition to the shot, a nasal spray is also an option for healthy individuals from two to 49 years of age.
Influenza is a contagious disease spread through contact with respiratory droplets, such as those from a sneeze or cough. The virus mostly spreads through respiratory droplets expelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing. Anyone within three feet of someone with a fever, cough and other influenza-like symptoms is at risk of being exposed to potentially infective droplets.
"Unfortunately," according to Boss, "many people believe that hand washing works just as well as, or better than, vaccination in preventing influenza. This is a myth. While it's important to encourage good hygiene practices, it's important to understand that hygiene alone is not enough to prevent influenza and is not a substitute for vaccination. If the virus is released into the air, then clean hands or not, you can still become infected."
Commenting on another common flu myth, Boss said "despite what some people think, the flu vaccine doesn't make you sick. What you feel after a flu shot, when you feel like you might be getting a little bit sick, is actually your body building an immune response so that you build up the antibodies that protect you against flu."
"Seasonal flu vaccine is safe -- far safer than the flu," Boss said. "After many studies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and American Medical Association have all found that the miniscule risk of vaccines, including the flu vaccine, is outweighed by the tremendous benefits they provide to individual and public health."
Influenza is a respiratory illness characterized by high fever (102 degrees or greater), muscle aches, headache, and dry cough, that can last from a few days to over a week. Children can also experience gastrointestinal symptoms with flu, including diarrhea and vomiting. Although most people survive influenza illness without incident, the elderly, infants and children, and people with certain chronic medical conditions
Influenza usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms:
· Fever (usually high)
· Headache
· Tiredness (can be extreme)
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Runny or stuffy nose
· Body aches
· Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults)
Having these symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms. If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if are at high risk for complications of the flu, you should consult your healthcare provider.
In addition, you can take everyday preventive steps like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading influenza to others.
For more information on flu and flu vaccination, go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
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