BRITT, IOWA – Hancock County Health System (HCHS) has reported positive influenza cases in Hancock County. “The flu season is officially here,” said Ashley Studer, RN, Infection Control/Preventionist for HCHS. “We have seen multiple cases of the flu, so this is a good time to remind residents the importance of performing frequent hand hygiene or hand washing, to cover their cough or sneeze, and to stay home from work or school when they have the a fever.”
Signs and symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue (very tired), and some people may have vomiting and diarrhea and some may not have a fever. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.
According to HCHS, a yearly flu vaccination is the best protection against the flu; however, there are antiviral drugs to treat flu illness. These drugs need to be prescribed by a doctor and work best when started during the first two days of illness. They can make people feel better and may prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia.
