NorthIowaToday.com

Founded in 2010

News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region

Cerro Gordo Health Department announces rise in influenza activity

MASON CITY – CG Public Health is continuing to see an increase in the amount of influenza activity in Cerro Gordo County. CG Public Health is encouraging community members to engage in proper hygiene habits and flu prevention. Below are some healthy habits you can adopt to prevent the spread of influenza.

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Stay home when you are sick – until fever free for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or Ibuprofen
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
  • Wash your hands often
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces – the virus has been known to live on surfaces up to 8 hours

“Two very important things we can do to decrease the spread of illness are staying home when we are sick and proper handwashing,” says Jeni Stiles, Infectious Disease Nurse, CG Public Health.  Stiles also adds, “There is still time to get your flu vaccine if you haven’t already done so.”  CG Public Health will have flu vaccine available for anyone 6 months and up through the end of June.

Influenza is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms usually have a sudden onset that includes:

  • Fever (usually high) & chills
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Fatigue
  • Body aches

Symptoms typically appear within 24-72 hours from exposure, with the illness lasting 2 to 5 days. People with the flu may be able to infect others by shedding the virus one day before getting sick and up to 5 to 7 days after the onset of illness. That means you may be able to pass the flu on to someone else before you know you are sick and even after you are feeling better.

Our Immunization Clinic is open Monday-Friday from 10:00 – Noon and 12:30 – 4:00 PM.  The Health Department accepts most major health insurances. For more information about influenza, influenza prevention or the influenza vaccine, please call 641-421-9300 or visit our website at www.cghealth.com.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

1 Comment
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Even more news:

Watercooler
Copyright 2024 – Internet Marketing Pros. of Iowa, Inc.
1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x