The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has now confirmed the first influenza (flu) cases of the 2015-2016 season. Symptoms of swine flu include a sudden fever, a temperature of 38C or above, tiredness, aching muscles, joint pain and headache.
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“It seems like flu season is starting a little bit later this year”, said Jennie Miller, immunization and communicable disease coordinator for Public Health of Delta and Menominee Counties.
The child, who was from outside Dublin, was transferred to a Dublin hospital for treatment, where they later died having contracted the HINI virus, more commonly known as swine flu. Complications include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, and dehydration. Infants less than six months of age are too young to be vaccinated and are more vulnerable to the complications from influenza.
Influenza is capable of causing severe illness resulting in hospitalization and even death in not only high risk cases, but in otherwise healthy people, too.
“It could still be coming, so it’d definitely be wise to get a flu vaccine if you haven’t”, she said.
The flu vaccine is safe and effective for everyone 6 months old and older, and is especially important for people who are 65 years old and older, young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Over 1,100 Kansans died from the flu in 2014, making it the 8th leading cause of death that year.
The Kansas Dept. of Health and Environmen (KDHE) just confirmed its first four flu cases of the winter.
Cover your cough or sneeze with your upper sleeve, and try to avoid touching your face with your hand.
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In fact, Representative Jonathan Jordan received his flu vaccine from the local health department to demonstrate the importance of this preventive measure.
