CG Public Health announces first confirmed flu case in county   

MASON CITY – CG Public Health has confirmed flu activity within Cerro Gordo County.  As of November 24^th, 2019, five cases of influenza have been identified through confirmatory testing at the State Hygienic Lab.

Both influenza A and B have been identified and both are covered in this year’s flu vaccine.  “There is still time to get your flu vaccine” says Jeni Stiles, Disease Prevention Assistant Manager for CG Public Health. During the Holiday season, it is common to see an increase in illness and people need to take measures to stay healthy.  “Frequent handwashing and staying home when you are sick are two of the most important things you can do to decrease the spread of germs to others” says Stiles.

Influenza is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms of influenza include fever (usually high), headache, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue, body aches, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms typically appear within 24-72 hours from exposure, with the illness lasting two to five days. People with the flu may be able to infect others by shedding the virus one day before getting sick to five to seven days after. That means you may be able to pass the flu on to someone else before you know you are sick.  In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu, and people with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.

“Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone,” says Jeni Stiles, Disease Prevention Nurse, Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. “Whether you suspect you have the common cold, or influenza, it is very important to increase fluids to prevent dehydration and get plenty of rest.”

Individuals should practice the following steps to limit the spread of the influenza:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. This will block the spread of droplets from your mouth or nose that could contain germs.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with individuals who are sick.
• If you or your children become ill with the flu, limit contact with others as much as possible to help prevent spreading the illness.
• Stay home or keep your child home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to seek medical care.

“It’s very important to keep commonly used surfaces sanitized throughout the day,” says Stiles. “Influenza has been shown to live on surfaces for up to eight hours.”

CG Public Health still has flu vaccine available. Our Immunization Clinic is open Monday-Friday from 10:00AM – Noon and 12:30 – 4:00PM at their new location next door to Hobby Lobby (2570 4^th St SW, Mason City). CG Public Health accepts most major health insurances.

For more information about influenza, influenza prevention, or the influenza vaccine, please call 641-421-9321 or visit our website at www.cghealth.com.