Viruses still looming; flu season lies ahead

Public health experts expect a mild flu season going into the new year, especially compared to last year, when the flu vaccine was a poor match with the most dominant strain of the illness. Since, it has proven benefits; the report suggested that the flu vaccination messages that have been so well communicated in Mexico should be spread to Latinos and everyone else in California as well.

People who are now ill, those with an egg allergy, or those who previously had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine should discuss that with their healthcare provider before receiving the shot, Jackson advised.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the H2N3 strain of the flu virus was the most widespread a year ago, but the vaccine was only about 23 percent effective.

"Influenza seasons and severity are often unpredictable". The recent study utilizing the California Health Interview Survey data revealed a big disparity among Mexican Americans of different generations when it comes to flu vaccination.

"However, taking such practical measures as washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick can also help to decrease the spread and minimize the effects of flu", Gruber said.

"Typically, we see (flu season) starting in Steamboat sometime around the holidays", said Paul Hill, laboratory section head and infection prevention coordinator at Yampa Valley Medical Center.

The low hospitalization rate is in stark contrast to last season, when El Paso County and Colorado recorded the most hospital admissions in at least 10 years. The flu vaccine protects against multiple strains of flu that may be circulating at any given time, and people can get infected with more than one type of flu during the season.

The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccination for anyone 6 months and older.

"This is the time of year when the virus starts to circulate in the community and with the weather turning colder, it's vital for people to look after themselves and others". This might include gelatin, antibiotics, or other ingredients, according to the CDC. The flu shot, given by needle, contains virus that has been killed.

While a balmy December may have kept people outdoors and not spreading viruses, the first real cold snap of the winter Monday is a harbinger of influenza yet to come. So far, all of the identified flu viruses this year were found sensitive to all three types of antiviral medications, CDC said.

Flu season in Steamboat usually peaks in February, then fizzles out in March, though in some parts of the country it may linger into May.

The flu strains identified in those lab tests were similar to those used in the development of the 2015-16 flu vaccine, CDC said. DHEC advises everyone to find the facility that works best for them.

The agency continuously monitors the safety of vaccines even after they are approved for use.

More than a million Albertans have now received the influenza vaccine this season.

On average, five to 20 percent of the US population contracts the flu yearly, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with complications of flu.