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Flu Widespread in Kentucky Judy Mattingly Health Department Each year approximately 23,000 people die of the flu in the U.S. Earlier this month the Kentucky Department for Public Health announced that influenza or flu had become widespread in Kentucky. Widespread is the highest level of flu activity and indicates increased activity or outbreaks in at least half of the regions in a state. At least 40 other states have also reported widespread flu activity. See map of U.S. flu activity. Flu season runs from October until May. Therefore, it isn’t too late to get your flu shot. However, vaccination can take up to two weeks to be fully effective so you should visit the Franklin County Health Department (FCHD) soon. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu vaccination provides the best protection against the flu. The flu vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. High risk groups that may experience greater complications from the flu include: children, pregnant women, those who are 50 years of age or older, those with chronic health problems, those living in nursing homes, health care workers and caregivers of anyone at high risk. Since H1N1 is a predominant strain of flu during this flu season young and middle-aged adults are also considered high risk. These high risk individuals are strongly encouraged to receive a flu vaccine this year and every year. Several forms of flu vaccination are available. People ages two to 49 may receive either a flu shot or a nasal vaccine spray. A flu shot using a much smaller needle, called an intradermal vaccination, may be used for anyone 18-64 years old. There is also a high dose flu vaccination for those 65 and over. If a child younger than nine years of age did not receive a flu vaccination last year then they should receive a second dose four weeks after the first. Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, body aches, chills and fatigue. The flu spreads from person to person through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets may spread to others up to six feet away. You may also get the flu by touching contaminated objects and then touching your mouth or nose. If you have the flu you may infect others beginning one day before your symptoms begin and up to seven days after becoming sick. Be sure to stay home if you are sick, wash your hands often and cover your coughs. If you do become sick contact your health care provider as soon as possible. There is no cure for the flu and since it is a virus antibiotics are not effective. However, treatment with antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu® or Relenza®, is most effective if taken within two days of symptom onset. These antiviral drugs can reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by one or two days. You can receive a flu vaccination at FCHD on a walk-in basis or you can call 564-7647 to
schedule a same day appointment. FCHD hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on
Wednesdays when the clinic remains open until 6:30 p.m.
Judy Mattingly holds a Master of Arts in Health Communication degree and is the
accreditation coordinator at the Franklin County Health Department, 100 Glenns Creek Rd.

Source: http://www.fchd.org/Portals/60/Community%20Health%20Ed/Newspaper%20Articles/2014%20Newspaper%20Articles/1.26.14%20Widespread%20Flu%20JAM.pdf