![Carson City Weather Carson City Weather](https://carsonnow.org/sites/www.carsonnow.org/files/weather.jpg)
Flu rate soars in Carson City, Douglas and Lyon counties; anti-viral treatment recommended
According to the recent CDC Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report, the number of reported flu cases in Carson City, and Douglas and Lyon counties is higher than the national baseline. Dustin Boothe, Epidemiologist at CCHHS, identified a 53 percent increase in documented flu cases in the tri-county region over last year’s numbers.
Carson City Health and Human Services recommends healthcare providers implement prompt antiviral treatment when flu is suspected. Antiviral drugs are an important second line of defense to treat flu illness. Antivirals are not a substitution for vaccinations. Children younger than 2 years and people 65 and older are at high risk for complications from the flu.
These two groups have the highest flu hospitalization rates. For high risk patients, antiviral drugs can mean the difference between a milder illness and a hospital stay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick. However, starting them later may still be helpful.
The first and most important step for influenza (flu) prevention is getting a flu vaccine. Even though vaccine effectiveness for the strain of H3N2 is reduced this season, the CDC continues to recommend vaccination because it may still provide some protection, including reducing more severe flu outcomes like hospitalization and death. The flu vaccine protects against three or four different viruses. It is possible that other flu viruses will circulate later in the season.
Flu vaccinations are still available at CCHHS’s walk-in clinics: 900 E. Long Street, Thursdays from 8:30- 11:30 a.m. & 1:00-4:30 p.m., and 1538 Highway 395 N., Gardnerville, Mondays from 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Nevada’s weekly flu reports, published by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, are available at www.health.nv.gov/Influenza_Surveillance.htm.
For questions or further information call 887-2190. Information is also available at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org/seasonalflu.
- Carson City
- 395
- Behavioral Health
- carson
- Carson City Health and Human Services
- children
- City
- Death
- disease
- Division of Public and Behavioral Health
- Douglas
- E
- Health
- Health & Wellness
- healthcare
- highway
- Highway 395
- information
- long street
- May
- Nevada
- NV
- Prevention
- public
- Rates
- Services
- severe
- treatment
- vaccinations
- drugs
- Gardnerville