Health officials urge residents to get flu shots

Twenty people have already been hospitalized in Wisconsin due to influenza this season, indicating that the flu season has arrived. Local health officials are encouraging Shawano and Menominee County residents to get flu shots early this season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone 6 months and older should be vaccinated annually. “The best way to help protect yourself from complications caused by the flu, such as pneumonia or hospitalization, is to get the flu vaccine,” said Jaime Bodden, health officer for the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department. Flu season for Wisconsin generally runs from late October to May, with peak activity around late January or early February. In the early point of the season, it is normal to see one or two people hospitalized statewide. The high number of hospitalizations this year highlights the importance of getting the influenza vaccine early rather than waiting later in the flu season, Bodden noted. To get a flu shot, residents should contact their health care provider or local public health department. Influenza vaccine will be available throughout the flu season. Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. The flu vaccine helps prevent complications that can be caused by the flu, such as pneumonia or hospitalization. Getting vaccinated against influenza is especially important for people 50 and older, and those with underlying health conditions. Vaccination is equally important for those who have frequent contact with young children, as children are hospitalized or die from flu complications each year in the U.S. Last year in Wisconsin, there were two pediatric deaths due to influenza. “By getting a flu shot, you are not only protecting yourself, you are also protecting loved ones who may be in a high-risk group such as children and the elderly,” said Deb Zernicke, public health nursing supervisor for the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department. Influenza can range from mild to severe, and in some cases can cause life-threatening complications. Symptoms can come on quickly and include fever, headache, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches and tiredness. If you think you have the flu, call your doctor. Stay home, rest, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco. If your symptoms persist, contact your doctor. For more information about influenza, call the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department at 715-526-4808.