By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
Local officials have confirmed a surge of influenza-related cases in Cameron County, a trend that also appears to be occurring in the southern portion of the United States.
According to Clinical Services Program Coordinator Sandra De La Cruz of the Cameron County Health Department, the recent flare up of influenza cases can largely be attributed to the general public not taking proper precautions in preventing the spread of the virus.
“The best way to protect the spread of influenza is to simply get vaccinated,” said De La Cruz on Thursday. “It’s not a 100 percent guarantee that you won’t get flu, but it’s a lot less likely.”
De La Cruz stated that the general public can take everyday precautions from obtaining and spreading the virus by simply washing hands, avoiding contact with the eyes, nose or mouth and practicing healthy habits such as getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
“Avoid people who are already sick,” added De La Cruz. “Try to practice covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow if you have to sneeze or cough. But the best precaution is just to get vaccinated.”
According to statistics, both confirmed influenza cases and cases of people with flu-like symptoms are significantly higher than they were a year ago at this time.
“Last year at this time we saw less than five or so (confirmed) cases, it was very minimal,” said De La Cruz. “This year we are well over that.”
As of Thursday, approximately 75 cases have been confirmed this week alone, De La Cruz reported. Additionally, De La Cruz said cases of flu-like symptoms have increased from 200 this time last year to nearly 500 currently.
“One of the contributing factors is people not getting vaccinated,” De La Cruz reiterated. “People are not getting treated in the early stages, and it’s making other people sick.”
She further remarked, “When people feel like they have symptoms of the flu, people must go to their health care providers as soon as possible. There are antiviral drugs to prevent more sickness. Over the counter drugs only relieve the symptoms; they won’t make you less contagious.
[important] Symptoms of the flu include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue and may include vomiting or diarrhea.
People who are at highest risk of flu related complications are children who are five-years-old or younger, adults 65-years or older, pregnant women, Native Americans, and people with certain medical conditions including asthma, neurological and neuro-developmental conditions, chronic lung disease, heart disease, blood disorders, diabetes and people who are morbidly obese.
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.
Yearly flu vaccinations should begin in September, or as soon as the vaccine is available and continue throughout the flu season, which can last as late as May.
Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine each year.
Editor’s Note: Information provided here is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, cdc.gov. [/important]
Read this story in the Jan. 6 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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