For Immediate Release Media Contact
ADHS Advises
Everyone to Get Vaccinated Immediately
PHOENIX – Influenza
activity is at record levels in Arizona and there are several hospitals
statewide experiencing long emergency room wait times due to the increased
number of sick Arizonans. After consulting with healthcare and public health
partners, the Arizona Department of Health Services is advising ill people to
only seek emergency medical care if they are at high risk for serious
complications or are experiencing severe symptoms.
“Influenza is a very
serious illness, so if you’re at high risk or have symptoms such as
difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, confusion, persistent
vomiting, cannot drink fluids, or have flu like symptoms that improve but then
return with fever or worse cough, seek emergency medical care immediately,” said
Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services.
People at high risk of
serious complications from influenza are:
- Children younger than 5 years old
- Adults aged 65 and older
- People with chronic disease, especially heart and lung disease
- People with immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV infection
- Women who are pregnant or postpartum (within 2 weeks after delivery)
- People younger than 19 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
- American Indians/Alaska Natives
- People with extreme obesity
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
"If you have symptoms
and are in a high risk group, or if you feel very sick or worried about your
illness, talk to your medical provider,” Dr. Christ said. “Most people with mild
flu symptoms will get better without seeing the doctor and should stay home to
prevent spreading it to others. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids and get
plenty of rest when you have the flu. You can also treat symptoms with over the
counter medications."
Getting
vaccinated against influenza is the most effective way to protect yourself from
the disease. It can take up to two weeks to build full immunity to influenza
after you are vaccinated, so everyone needs to get the flu shot immediately.
People can find a place to get vaccinated at vaccinefinder.org.
Even if you are vaccinated, you can help prevent influenza from spreading by
washing your hands frequently, covering your nose and mouth when coughing and
sneezing, avoiding touching your face, and staying home when you are sick.
“Someone
with influenza can spread the disease when they cough, sneeze, or talk, which
creates influenza droplets that can land in the mouth or nose of someone
nearby,” Dr. Christ said. “You can also catch influenza by touching a surface or
object that the virus lands on and then touching your mouth, nose, or other
parts of your face. If you have the flu or flu-like symptoms, stay home. And if
your kids have the flu or flu-like symptoms, keep them home from school.”
There
have been 7,978 cases of influenza reported this season, with 2,453 reported the
last week of December 2017. Compared to the same time period in 2016, there were
834 total cases and 282 cases reported in the last week of December 2016. This
is the highest number of seasonal cases this early since influenza tests became
reportable. During the past two seasons, Arizona did not reach widespread
activity until February.
For
more questions about the influenza vaccine, contact the ADHS Immunization
Program Office at (602) 364-3630 or your county
health department. You can stay up-to-date on influenza activity in Arizona
throughout the season by viewing the weekly reports on the ADHS website at azhealth.gov/flu,
or by subscribing to receive the influenza report via email at azhealth.gov/email.
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