Flu Warning: First 2016 Case Confirmed in Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD — Does your weekend to-do list include getting a flu shot? It should, say Maryland health officials, who report that the first confirmed case of the flu has been diagnosed in the region, just days after doctors at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged preventative shots.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said Friday the first flu patient of the 2016-2017 influenza season is an adult in the National Capitol Region. With an extended weekend in store for many Marylanders, now is a good time to get a flu shot, the department said.

The flu bug begins to make the rounds in October and November. Most of the time, flu activity peaks between December and March and can last as late as May. Get vaccinated soon, because it takes two weeks for the vaccine to get working, doctors say.

“It’s important for Marylanders to remember that the flu is extremely easy to catch and that it still can cause death,” said Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Van T. Mitchell on Friday after he received a flu shot at the Charles County Health Department.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that may lead to serious complications, hospitalization or even death. The virus that causes influenza spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing, as well as through direct contact with infected people and contaminated surfaces or objects.

Common symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue, coughing and sore throat. Symptoms usually begin one to four days after being exposed to the virus. The influenza vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from becoming ill with influenza. Yearly vaccinations are important because the strains of influenza that circulate change over time.

SEE ALSO: Find Flu Shots Near You: 2016 Season Arrives, Says CDC

CDC health officials say the nasal spray shouldn't be used in the 2016-2017 flu season because recent studies show it's not effective in preventing the flu.

The agency recommends several steps to fighting the flu: vaccination; everyday preventive actions, like staying away from sick people; and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others. In addition, there are prescription antiviral drugs can treat people who are very sick with the flu or are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months. It is especially important for people who are at high risk for influenza-related complications and severe disease including:

• Children younger than 5 years old,
• People 65 and older,
• Pregnant women,
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities,
• American Indians and Alaskan Natives,
• People of any age with chronic medical conditions, and
• People undergoing therapy or with a condition that may weaken their immune systems.

People caring for someone in these groups should be vaccinated to avoid spreading the disease to them. The vaccine is widely available, and Maryland residents can get protected by contacting their health care provider, local health department or neighborhood pharmacy.

This year's influenza vaccine formulation includes the A (H1N1) strain. The flu strain factoring in the season’s first case in Maryland was type A (H1N1); the patient was not hospitalized. Last season, the first confirmed case of influenza was reported on Nov. 4, 2015.

If you believe you have the flu:

• Contact your health care provider for management of flu symptoms or treatment of any complications.
• Get rest and drink plenty of fluids.
• Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers and wash your hands often.
• Avoid crowded places like shopping malls or public transportation.
• Avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals or other settings where people with other conditions may get your flu and be affected severely.
• Stay home from work or school whenever possible to avoid spreading the flu to your friends and coworkers.

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