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Flu pandemic still affecting Idahoans
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The influenza pandemic is widespread across the United States. Despite the breadth of the illness throughout Idaho, “we’re probably two to four weeks behind the rest of the country,” Boise State Director of Medical Services Dr.
Vincent Serio said.
“Idaho is considered widespread on the flu map, but we’re not seeing deaths and the other things some of the other states are seeing,” he said.
Serio explained that the Southeast may be hit harder because the vaccine treated 80 percent of the strains in that area. In Idaho, the vaccine is effective against 95 percent of flu strains.
The university prepares for an annual dosage of 1,200 flu vaccines, and this year, 75 of those are still left. The vaccine takes about two weeks to take effect.
“There are a lot of myths about the flu vaccine,” Dr. Kevin Timmel of St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center said.
One common myth is that the flu vaccine can give the recipient the flu. Timmel said feeling sick is caused by an activated immune system.
The vaccine activates the immune system, and causes many people to think the vaccine gave them the flu. Timmel said this is false.
This year, Timmel has seen very few flu cases.
“It has not been as bad as suspected,” he said.
He explained that every other year Idaho is hit hard by influenza, and this year was predicted to be a bad year for the people in Idaho. Timmel expects the flu season to last through April and perhaps May.
According to the Center for Disease Control, anywhere from five to 20 percent of the American population gets the flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized due to complications from the flu. Influenza can be fatal, mostly among children, the elderly and people with previous health conditions.
The CDC recommends the vaccine as the best defense against the flu.
Tamiflu, a pill that can be taken to prevent and treat the flu, is available by prescription.
“You can take it preventively if your roommate comes down with the flu,” Serio said.
The drug must be taken within 48 hours of the occurrence of the first flu-like symptoms.
Tamiflu is available at the Health and Wellness Center for BSU students.
Serio recommends staying home if people are sick, but if they come to school they should take necessary precautions, such as covering the mouth, avoiding facial contact and hands sanitization. Hand sanitizer is also effective but he said soap and water are still superior.
Influenza usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms