Influenza cases high for Nebraska, low for Chase County

While flu-like symptoms have traveled through Chase County this past week, Chase County Community Hospital (CCCH) has only had two confirmed Influenza A cases this season.
“The most common symptoms in those two cases were high fevers,” CCCH infection prevention nurse Kay Schmidt said.
“But you can have your respiratory cough, nasal congestion and also GI stuff” and not have confirmed influenza, Schmidt added.
Outside of Chase County, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is reporting high levels of flu across the state.
Schmidt’s biggest recommendation for flu symptoms and confirmed influenza is “Stay home.”
“I know people want to go to the Christmas parties and daycare and I get that, but the biggest prevention we have is isolation,” she added.
“And sometimes that’s hard, especially during the holidays, but isolation is one of the biggest preventions.”
Schmidt added hand washing, lots of fluids and rest to prevent influenza.
If services are needed, though, CCCH is prepared to help, Schmidt added.
“We have the 24/7 ER, but they will mostly treat the symptoms.
“If it’s early enough we can give you an anti-viral like Tamiflu, but it’s kind of a case-by-case basis,” she said.
Schmidt added that to get treated effectively with an anti-viral, influenza has to be caught early.

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