The Clark County Combined Health District is encouraging residents to get a flu shot to prevent the spread of the flu.
“The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year,” said CCCHD spokesperson, Emma Smales. “But good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu.”
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Some of those healthy habits include avoiding close contact with people who are sick, washing your hands often or using hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth — as germs are usually spread when a person touches something contaminated and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.
Practicing other good health habits like disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill, getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious foods can help prevent illness as well, the health district said.
Health officials have emphasized that these prevention and hygiene practices could also help avoid the coronavirus.
The flu is a common viral infection that can easily spread from person to person. Typically, a healthy person can fight off the flu with rest, but it can be dangerous for young children and the elderly.
There were 308 cases of flu recorded in Clark County in 2018, according to the Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD). That’s two times more than there was in 2017, according to the same statistics.
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Symptoms of influenza can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. And while most people fully recover after getting sick, some experience severe illness — making the flu sometimes fatal.
People who think that they may have the flu and are pregnant, have an underlying medical condition, or who are extremely ill should contact their health care provider immediately.
Flu season in Ohio begins in October and typically lasts through May. So far this season, Champaign County has had 31 flu-related hospitalizations, according to the ODH.
Health officials have emphasized that prevention and hygiene practices could also help people avoid the coronavirus that’s part of the outbreak. Ohio officials announced Monday there are three confirmed cases of the coronavirus, COVID-19, in the state.