AMERICUS — The Centers for Disease Control is reporting 30 states, including Georgia, now have high levels of flu-like illness. The Georgia Department of Public Health website states influenza is hitting the state harder this season than anytime in the last 10 years.

However, people in Americus seem to be fighting off the flu better than those in other areas. In a release issued Friday, the Sumter County Health Department stated it has not seen a higher than expected number of reported influenza cases.

“At this time there is no increased incidence of influenza and no reports of clusters of influenza associated with group settings such as schools, day care centers and long-term care facilities in this community,” said County Nurse Manager Luneda Brown at the Sumter County Health Department.

Andrea Wright at the Sumter County Schools office said the schools have not seen an increase in absences. As of Friday the attendance rate was holding steady at 96 percent.

However, Brown said the flu is circulating in the county, so people should take precautions to stay well. “It is always a great idea to practice good cough etiquette and to be certain hands are washed with soap and water,” she said.

Good cough etiquette means coughing or sneezing into the crook of your arm or your shoulder, thus preventing the germs from getting on your hands and spreading to other people or items you may touch. If you use a tissue, throw it away.

The Health Department offers these additional tips to prevent the spread of the flu:

Clean your hands for an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth where flu germs can easily enter your body.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people and if you are sick, stay home from work or school. The CDC recommends you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-inducing medicine.)

Wipe/disinfect items such as doorknobs, a phone, TV remote, computer keyboard and mouse, or games, handled by a sick person and shared between household members.



Influenza vaccine

Brown urged those who had not received a flu shot to get one. People may see their private physician or visit a pharmacy to request a flu shot. The Health Department’s vaccine supply is currently limited to children 18 and under who are eligible for the Georgia Immunization Program vaccine. If you are unsure if your child is eligible, call before going to the Health Department (924-3637). The Health Department currently does not have adult flu vaccines and will notify the public when it is available.

Health officials urge everyone over the age of six months to get a flu shot, especially children, people age 65 and older, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions, such as heart, lung or kidney disease or a weakened immune system.



Flu symptoms

Typical flu symptoms include high fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea are more common among young children. However, influenza is not the “stomach flu;” it is a respiratory illness.

Influenza is different from a cold although the symptoms can overlap. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense with flu. Colds are usually milder than the flu, and more likely to cause a runny or stuffy nose.

People with the flu usually recover completely in one to two weeks, but some people suffer severe complications. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems.

People with the flu rarely need to visit the emergency room and are encouraged to call their physicians before visiting the office to determine if they need medical care. However, there are some complications such as shortness of breath or dehydration due to nausea and sweating that require immediate medical care or hospitalization.

Flu complications can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Hospitalization and death can result from influenza infection complications.



Treating the flu

Not all cases of the flu are reported to the public health office and many people who have the flu may not seek medical care, since little can be done to treat it other than prescribing rest and plenty fluids to keep from getting dehydrated.

Health officials recommend avoiding caffeinated drinks and not using alcohol and tobacco while sick. Pain relievers can ease muscle aches and a non-aspirin pain reliever can be used to reduce fever. There are two antiviral medications approved for treatment of the flu: oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®). They require a prescription and are most effective if started within 48 hours of getting symptoms.