First flu case confirms need for annual shots

It's official; Nebraska has its first laboratory-confirmed case of influenza for 2008, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

The case is in Lancaster County, but that's not very far away in today's world, especially with the Thanksgiving holiday just past and Christmas and New Year's Day approaching.

And while an antiviral can be prescribed by a physician within the first 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms, it is not generally effective after that time.

And don't ask for an antibiotic, since they don't work on viruses like influenza -- which causes symptoms like fever, chills, headache, dry cough or muscle aches. The illness may last several days to a week or more, and for the elderly and people with diabetes or heart, lung or kidney disease, the flu may be especially serious.

In fact, it leads to 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths each year.

The best choice is still to get your flu shot, each year, which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have designated this week as National Influenza Vaccination Week.

"We offer influenza vaccinations based on a sliding fee scale," said Beverly Powers, Public Health Nurse of Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department. "The sliding fee scale is insurance based, not income based," she said.

Influenza is highly contagious and is spread primarily through droplets which are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Besides getting vaccinated each year, officials urge the public to:

* Avoid close contact with people who are sick or with others if you are sick.

* Stay home when you are sick, especially if you have a fever. It is possible to pass the flu virus to others one day before the fever and up to five or more days after.

* Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Or cough into your inner elbow.

* Wash your hands frequently and use soap.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

* Practice other good health habits such as getting plenty of sleep and exercise, managing your stress, drinking plenty of water and eating nutritious foods.

Although it will take up to two weeks to be protected, it is not too late to get vaccinated.

Because the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, 322 Norris Ave., Suite 8, McCook, offers flu shots on a sliding fee scale based on insurance coverage, everyone can afford to be protect.

Call today to make an appointment at (308) 345-4233 or (888) 345-4233. The department serves Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Perkins and Red Willow Counties.