Influenza Season Starting

With the 2018-19 influenza season in its early stages, Wyoming Department of Health representatives say flu vaccines are the best available weapon in the ongoing fight against flu.
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.
Reggie McClinton, a Health Department epidemiologist, said the most recently completed flu season was highly severe in Wyoming. He said there were at least 27 flu-related deaths, according to Vital Statistics Services data, mostly among older residents, adding that this is a much higher number than what is typically reported in Wyoming.
Dr. Alexia Harrist, state epidemiologist and state health officer, noted that last season should serve as a reminder to everyone that flu is a serious illness, and should never be overlooked or accepted as a minor problem. She says nearly everyone six months or older should get a seasonal flu vaccine, as they are safe and the most important action people can take to help prevent getting ill with influenza and passing it on to others.