Flu season update from Lincoln County Public Health

Less people are getting sick from H1N1 flu virus at this point, but don’t let your guard down just yet! Influenza typically comes in waves. Swine flu is not over yet… not by a long shot. You can rely on your own good hand and respiratory hygiene or you can do something even more effective and get vaccinated. Flu shots are made with inactivated bits and pieces of dead virus so that your body can recognize the real virus when it comes along and already knows how to defeat it.

H1N1 shots, seasonal flu shots, and pneumonia shots will be available on a walk-in basis on Wednesday December 9th at the Libby Senior Center (206 E 2nd St). Lincoln County Public Health strongly encourages you to take advantage of this opportunity to prevent getting the flu through vaccination.

The major complication of flu which causes hospitalization is pneumonia. A vaccine is available to protect you from the 23 most prevalent strains of pneumococcal bacteria. Secondary bacterial infection is the main cause of death in those who have died from H1N1 influenza.

A walk-in clinic in Troy at the Kootenai Senior Center is scheduled for Wednesday December 16th from 1-4, and in Libby on Thursday December 17th at Libby Senior Center from 3-5.

There have been 144 Montanans hospitalized from complications of H1N1 flu, and 15 Montanans have died. Ninety-nine percent of the influenza viruses identified in Montana so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception. Surveillance for the detection of antiviral resistance in 2009 H1N1 influenza is ongoing among domestic and international isolates submitted to CDC.

It's not possible to predict what will happen in the weeks and months ahead. More than 50 years ago, during the pandemic in 1957-1958, there was a large surge in cases at the beginning of the school year, then a waning of cases.  In December, January, and February, there was a big increase in the number of people who were severely ill or who died.

Please protect yourself from the flu!

(Amy Smart is the Lincoln County Public Health Emergency Preparedness coordinator and Emergency Management Agency deputy).