First Flu Death Of Season Reported In Santa Clara County

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — The first flu death of the season has been recorded in Santa Clara County.

The Santa Clara County Public Health Department reported Thursday morning that the victim, who was less than 65 years old, died earlier this month. The person had other medical conditions that put them at increased risk of severe complications, according to Dr. Sara Cody, County Health Officer and Director of the Public Health Department. The person who died had not received this year’s flu vaccine.

The Health Department did not reveal the city where the victim lived.

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There have been no other cases of severe flu reported so far during the 2017-18 flu season.

The Health Department recommends a flu vaccine for everyone six months and older.

In addition to getting the vaccine, health officials advise individuals to take the following steps to
protect themselves and loved ones from flu.
• Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue.
• If you do not have a tissue, cough into your elbow.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer.
• Stay home when you are sick, and keep your children home when they are sick.
• Stay home until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches,
headaches and fatigue.

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Antibiotics are not effective against the flu because it's caused by a virus, not bacteria.

— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock