Sanders County prepares for flu season

SANDERS COUNTY – With colder weather in the not too distant future for Sanders County it will not be long before flu season is in full swing.

A good way of mitigating the risks, which come with every influenza season, is to receive a flu vaccination.

Every flu season is different but each year receiving a flu vaccination is a good preventative step to not only keep oneself healthy but to limit the ability of the flu virus to spread within the community during the flu season.

According to Program Assistant Karen Dwyer at the Sanders County Public Health Department, the severity and length of flu season varies from year to year but in general runs from August to May.

Despite the long length of the season, most cases of flu emerge in the winter months.

“Flu season usually peaks in January and February,” Dwyer said.  

Dwyer said there are several locations throughout the county where individuals can be vaccinated against the flu virus.

The Plains clinic at Clark Fork Valley Hospital, the Thompson Falls clinic, the Hot Springs clinic and Main Street Medical in Thompson Falls are some of the locations where interested individuals can receive their vaccination.

Dwyer added over the past few years Sanders County has been able to escape the worst of the flu season, despite a high number of cases in surrounding counties.

“We haven’t had a whole lot of cases,” Dwyer said.

However, Dwyer reinforced the different nature of each flu leads to unpredictability for upcoming flu seasons and there is no indication the county will receive another mild flu season.  

Dwyer said there have been a high number of people receiving vaccination throughout the county over the past few years and this has helped to keep the number of cases down.

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention flu vaccines work by causing antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after an individual receives a vaccination.

The CDC notes there are many forms of the flu virus but the flu vaccine made available each flu season protects against the influenza virus that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming winter season.

The CDC recommends individuals should get vaccinated shortly after the seasonal vaccine becomes available, ideally some time in October. However, it does not hurt to get the vaccine any time in the flu season as the vaccination becomes effective two weeks after it is received regardless of the time of year.

It is important to consult with one’s doctor or a health specialist before receiving a vaccine as the CDC notes some people should not be vaccinated.

A person’s age, health and allergies, including an egg allergy, can all be factored in as reasons not to receive a vaccine according to the CDC.

Beyond vaccinations it is also highly recommended for those who do not feel well to stay home from work or school, while they are under the weather.

This small preventative measure can help stem the spread of viruses ranging from flu to the common cold.