OMHC Public Service Announcement

Odessa medical staffers have begun to see people testing positive for Type A Influenza. The CDC has indicated from data that the current flu season could be severe. The CDC continues to urge immediate vaccination for anyone still unvaccinated and recommends prompt treatment with antiviral drugs for people at high risk of complications who develop the flu.

So far this year, seasonal flu Type A H3N2 virus has been the most common. There often are more severe flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths during seasons when this virus predominates. In addition, roughly half of the H3N2 viruses analyzed are called “drift variants: viruses with antigenic or genetic changes that make them different from that season’s vaccine virus.” This means the vaccine’s ability to protect against the virus may be reduced, although vaccinated people may have a milder illness if they do become infected. This could be a severe this flu season and people should be prepared.

Depending on the formulation, flu vaccines protect against three or four different flu strains of virus. While the vaccine’s ability to protect against drifted H3N2 viruses this season may be reduced, the CDC still strongly recommends vaccination. It has been found to provide some protection against drifted viruses in past seasons. Also, vaccination will offer protection against other flu viruses that may become more common later in the season.

We save lives with a three-pronged approach to fighting the flu: vaccination, prompt treatment for people at high risk of complications and preventive health measures such as staying home when you are sick to reduce flu spread. Continue standard precautions of washing your hands, covering your cough, etc.

Influenza antiviral drugs can reduce severe complications for people who are at high risk of serious flu complication or are very sick. Treatment of high risk patients should begin as soon after symptoms develop as possible without waiting for lab tests to confirm flu infection.

Those at high risk from influenza include children younger than 5 years (especially those younger than 2 years); adults 65 years and older, pregnant women; and people with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease, and kidney disease.

It is recommended that people at high risk check with their doctor or other health care professional promptly if they get flu symptoms. Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started in the first 48 hours after symptoms appear. Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuff nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Odessa Memorial Healthcare/Odessa Clinic is here to give quality care. If you need an appointment, call the clinic at 509-982-2614. If you have an emergency, please contact our 24-hour ER at 509-982-2611. Our goal is to be sure we are: “bringing caring, quality healthcare to our community…”