Influenza Season is Upon Us

In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is so prevalent that when someone presents with fever and body aches, they are presumed to have malaria until proven otherwise. It's kind of the same here during influenza season.

While we've had just a few cases of influenza here in Seeley Lake so far this year, the combination of fever, body aches (and headache), and cough make you really suspicious for influenza. Thankfully, we've done a pretty good job as a community of getting vaccinated. So for everyone who got his or her influenza (flu) shot this year-thank you! You're helping us reduce the spread of influenza in our little town.

For those of you still thinking about it, it's certainly not too late. Not only will you protect yourself, you will help protect those around you. It's a concept called herd immunity. The fewer the cases we have in our 'herd', the less likely that our individual members will be exposed.

In fact it is not too late to get your flu shot until you've actually come down with influenza. Once you get the symptoms, the shot will be worthless to you.

People often get frustrated when after getting their flu shot they get sick anyway. It becomes hard to stay healthy during this time because we don't have immunizations for most of the other illnesses that we see during cold and flu season.

Here in town, we've already seen a lot of different things being passed around. As mentioned, influenza that causes a cough, fever and aches! In the last months we have also seen a particularly virulent stomach bug (fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea). This one is a virus that has been staying around for about two-five days. This is not the Influenza virus, so this means no protection if you've had your flu shot.

The best thing you can do is to be careful with hand hygiene. Wash those hands-especially if you've been around someone who is ill. Can't stress that enough-wash those hands!

We've also seen strep throat (usually sore throat, fever and body aches). This usually doesn't cause a cough, but makes you feel miserable. Come see us if you've been exposed and have symptoms.

There are a seemingly endless supply of other viruses and bugs that have also been causing respiratory infections-coughs, chest colds, earaches, etc. Call it what you will but you can think of this as the crud.

The vast majority of this crud is viral (meaning antibiotics are generally counter productive). As a general rule, if you are feeling cruddy with a cough, or sore throat, or fatigue, you can wait it out-as these are generally self-limited and goes away given a little time. I recommend coming in if it is unusually bad or if your crud persists longer than about 10 days.

So, be on the lookout. Those bugs are out in force in our community. Protect yourself by washing your hands whenever you've been out and about. Let's protect each other by covering our coughs/sneezes and staying away from public gatherings when we are contagious.

Remember, it's not too late to get your flu shot. Keep yourself healthy, and see you in the clinic.