Maryland Has Flu: Health Officials Confirm First Cases Of Season

BALTIMORE, MD — Two cases of the flu have been confirmed in Maryland, state health officials reported Tuesday. One case was in central Maryland while another was on the Eastern Shore, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

Flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness that spreads by coughing, sneezing or direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surface.

One adult and one child were infected with the illness, and they are the first confirmed cases of the 2018-2019 flu season in Maryland, officials said. The confirmed flu strains are type A (H1) and Type B (Victoria).

The flu season generally starts in October or November, peaks between December and February, and can continue until May, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These symptoms of the flu usually occur within one to four days after exposure, according to health officials:

• Fever
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Coughing
• Sore throat

Health officials are urging Maryland residents to get vaccinated. The flu shot is available at health care providers, local health departments and pharmacies.

"This season, influenza vaccines have been updated to better match the circulating strains," Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Fran Phillips said in a statement Tuesday. "The influenza vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from becoming ill with influenza. Getting vaccinated each year is important, because the strains of influenza that circulate change over time."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting the flu shot before the end of October, because it requires about two weeks to take effect.

Everyone older than six months can get a flu shot, which is especially recommended for those who are at risk: people with chronic conditions or who are being treated for something that may weaken the immune system; children younger than 5 (especially those under 2); those 65 and up as well as those in nursing homes and long-term care facilities; pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum); American Indians and Alaska Natives; and caregivers.

What to do if you think you have the flu:

• Contact your health care provider
• Rest
• Drink fluids
• Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers and wash hands often
• Stay home whenever possible to avoid spreading the sickness
• Avoid crowded places (e.g., shopping malls, public transportation)
• Do not make unnecessary visits to places where others may be vulnerable (hospitals, retirement homes)

The Maryland Department of Health provides weekly updates on influenza activity in the state.

RELATED: Where To Get Flu Shots In Maryland

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