Region’s flu season light – so far

Wed., Jan. 4, 2006

By Kevin Graman kevingr@spokesman.com

At a glance: Flu shots

People at high risk for complications from the influenza virus are urged to get vaccinated, according to the Spokane Regional Health District. They include:

“Adults 65 and older or infants 6-23 months.

“Residents of nursing homes or other facilities that house people who have chronic medical conditions.

“Anyone with a chronic disease of the heart, lung or kidneys.

“Anyone with medical conditions such as diabetes, renal dysfunction, severe anemia or the immunosuppressed.

“Children ages 6 months to 18 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.

“Women who will be pregnant during the flu season.

Others encouraged to get the flu vaccine include:

“Caregivers of infants up to 23 months.

“Anyone who has close contact with high-risk individuals listed above, including health care providers and household members.

It’s been a light flu season so far, according to regional health districts, but then again the season typically doesn’t peak until February or even March.

There is still time to get vaccinated.

The Spokane Regional Health District and the Panhandle Health District recommend the influenza vaccine for people in high-risk categories, including the old and very young and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, metabolic disease or weakened immune systems.

Influenza, caused by a virus, is a highly contagious lung disease with symptoms that may include high fever, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle ache or fatigue. Each year, flu causes as many as 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations nationally.

This year, there have been only a couple of confirmed influenza cases in Spokane County, according to Julie Graham, public information manager for the Spokane Regional Health District. However, health care providers are not required by law to report flu, as they are some diseases. Checking school district absentee rates is a better indication of how bad a flu season it is.

So far, flu has yet to take much of a toll on school attendance, Graham said.

There have been four confirmed cases of flu in Kootenai County and several reports of flulike illness in the other four North Idaho counties, according to Susan Cuff of the Panhandle Health District.

Though the best time to get vaccinated is October through December, vaccinations can be given throughout the flu season.

The Spokane Regional Health District still has vaccine available. For an appointment call (509) 324-1600.

The Panhandle Health District has flu shots available for children ages 6 months to 23 months and for children in high-risk categories ages 2 through 18. It also has a limited amount of FluMist, a nasal vaccine, available for healthy people ages 5 though 49. FluMist contains live virus and is not recommended for pregnant women, the very young, aged and chronically ill, or people who come in contact with them.

Panhandle district appointments can be made by calling (208) 415-5100.