Influenza season has come early to Maryland.
The Maryland Department of Health is now announcing 11 lab affirmed cases since Sept. 1. State health authorities said the beginning of influenza just underscores the requirement for an influenza shot.
“Get your flu shot now. Don’t put it off,” said Maryland Secretary of Health Robert Neall, in a news discharge reporting the primary influenza instances of the period.
“It takes about a couple of weeks for the vaccination to be effective, and so that’s why we’re recommending people go ahead and get vaccinated starting now, just because we know there is flu around,” said Dr. David Blythe, the director of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Outbreak Response Bureau with the Maryland Department of Health.
The health office said it is vague if the early influenza season is any sign of whether this will be an especially terrible season for influenza.
“I wish we could predict from this what this means for the upcoming flu season, but we really can’t, unfortunately. But it does tell us that flu, as we speak, is here in Maryland, so it’s not too early to get vaccinated against flu,” Blythe said.
The flu infection is spread through coughing and sneezing, just as contact with tainted individuals or contaminated surfaces or items. Normal side effects incorporate fever, body throbs, fatigue, coughing and sore throat. Albeit most cases are gentle, flu can prompt genuine complexities and even passing.
The greater part of the 11 cases announced so far are flu A (H3N2) with a couple of flu B. The antibody secures against both.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prescribes flu antibody for everybody a half year of age and more seasoned.
“Getting the flu shot is particularly important for people who are at risk of getting [flu-related] complications and for those people who are caring for or live with those people who are at risk of getting complications,” Blythe said.
Those at high hazard for flu related intricacies include:
Youngsters a half year through 5 years of age
Individuals more than 50 years of age
Grown-ups and youngsters who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, neurological, hematologic or metabolic issue
Individuals who are immunocompromised
Ladies who are or will wind up pregnant during the flu season
Youngsters and youths who are accepting aspirinor salicylate-containing meds and who may be in danger for Reye disorder after flu infection disease
Residents of nursing homes and other long haul care offices
Individuals who are very obese (weight record more than 40 for grown-ups)
“We’re urging everybody in Maryland to get their flu shot as soon as they can,” Blythe said.
Topics #flu #flu virus #health #Maryland Department of Health
