The flu virus continues to be a threat as winter moves into February. Some school systems in the area were closed the latter part of the week because of above average absenteeism. Both, Carter County and Elizabethton School System have reported higher than usual student absentee rates.
Now, there is the threat of the coronavirus. Although local residents need not panic about the deadly virus, China’s National Health Commission reported the coronavirus has sickened thousands and killed at least 132 people since its detection in December. Authorities there have effectively quarantined the area, but not before cases were reported in 17 other countries, including the United States.
For now, the coronavirus is certainly not a threat here, half a world away from the disease epicenter. However, concerns about its possible spread makes it worthwhile for local residents to adopt reasonable precautions — just to be on the safe side. There are precautions that need to be taken as long as any kind of flu remains a threat.
Any virus, whether it be the coronavirus, which health officials know very little about, or the strain of winter flu which afflicts both young and old, is concerning to health officials. There’s still a lot of winter left, and perhaps, flu, too.
That’s why people need to continue to take precautions to guard against the flu.
That includes taking care to wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol. The CDC also recommends covering coughs and sneezes; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; and disinfecting surfaces that are frequently touched, such as computer mice and keyboards or door handles.
But the big to-do list by the CDC are the same as every flu season: Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you’re feeling under the weather to avoid transmission with others. That’s easier for those who can afford to miss work or who have paid sick leave, but it’s critically important to stop the spread of disease.
CDC officials say it’s not too late to get vaccinated. They say the flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu and its complications.
Although the flu virus spreads easily when an infected person sneezes, coughs and talks, when the virus reaches someone who is vaccinated, not only are they less likely to get the flu, but they are less likely to transmit the virus to others. Reducing flu transmission overall is especially important for children, older adults, pregnant women and people with certain chronic medical conditions. These vulnerable groups are at higher risk for more serious complications from the flu that can require hospitalization or result in death.
Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms usually last from a few days to less than two weeks. It is possible to infect others from one day before and up to 5-7 days after symptoms begin, according to the health department.
As always, monitor news reports and information from public health agencies as things develop. This isn’t a time to panic, but for everyone to do their part to ensure our communities stay safe.