It may be the end of the holiday season, but it looks like the flu season is getting under way.
Influenza activity began to increase across the United States for this year’s flu season shortly after the holidays. Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, new York and Virginia are experiencing high levels of flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Other states are also beginning to see an increase in flu activity, including Illinois.
the Logan County Department of Public Health has confirmed a few flu cases in the last couple weeks.
“Local flu activity remains low at this point, but is beginning to increase in our area,” Mary Anderson, a communicable disease nurse with the health department.
Symptoms of the flu include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue.
Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu. Those 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated against the flu every year. the combined seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine is available at the Logan County Department of Public Health through the walk-in clinic from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or on the H.O.P.E mobile during its regularly scheduled stops.
in addition to getting the flu vaccine, there are other simple steps people can take to prevent the spread of flu:
- clean your hands frequently with warm soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or use your elbow, not your hands.
- contain your germs by staying home when sick until your fever is gone without the use of fever reducing medications.
For questions or more information on influenza, contact the Logan County Department of Public Health at 735-2317, or by e-mail at . People can also visit the Logan County Department of Public Health website at lcdph.org.