Flu bug gains steam, but it's not too late to get vaccinated

Influenza has picked up over the last week across the state, but health officials say it's still not too late to get vaccinated.

According to Weber-Morgan Health Department, the state saw an increase in the number of influenza type A cases beginning the first week of March. In Weber County, 69 percent of those cases have been H1N1, which is covered by this year's vaccine.

"We're not seeing huge numbers, but last month the activity was considered minimal, and this past week we've hit the low to moderate level," said Claudia Price, Weber-Morgan Health Department director of nursing.

Davis County Health Department epidemiologist Brian Hatch said there is also an increase in his county.

"We are definitely seeing it, although so far it's not as severe as in the past," Hatch said. "As far as hospitalizations are concerned, we had one in January, one in February, two the week of March 10 and five last week, so we are seeing it turn the corner."

According to Germwatch Utah, an Internet health surveillance site sponsored by Intermountain Health physicians, influenza A is going strong and rivaling respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a common virus that can be dangerous to babies.

Dr. Mindy Boehm, a pediatrician at Ogden Clinic, said she is seeing a moderate amount of influenza A and B, mostly in unimmunized patients. The main complaints have been fever, achiness, sore throat, nausea and vomiting. In addition, the pharmacy has had an increase in Tamiflu prescriptions during the past three weeks.

"Unlike previous years, everyone with a prescription bought the drug," she said.

Hatch and Price said the flu vaccine is still available, and they encourage anyone who hasn't received it to do so.

"The more people we can vaccinate, the less severe it will be in the community. That's really the only way we can prevent outbreaks," Hatch said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the timing of when the flu will hit is unpredictable from season to season. While it usually peaks in January or February, it can begin as early as October and occur as late as May.

As usual, if you come down with influenza, health officials are asking you to stay home to prevent exposing others.