The Daily Inter Lake

The first confirmed cases of influenza arrived in Montana recently, officially opening flu season in the state.

With no cases confirmed in Flathead County, residents still have time to get protection through an immunization, according to Allison Bishop, public health nurse at Flathead City-County Health Department.

"January through March is our usual flu season," Bishop said.

Two cases of influenza A in Yellowstone County prompted the statewide alert. An unrelated man and woman claimed the dubious distinction of the flu's first victims here.

Health-care providers report positive results for flu from quick tests performed in their offices to state health officials. Specimens then go to the state laboratory for confirmation, because quick tests provide a percentage of inaccurate results.

Bishop said that the latest confirmed results from the state were as of Dec. 16. Additional cases most likely have appeared in the past two weeks.

"We expect to see more widespread cases with people traveling and coming in contact with more groups," she said.

Vaccine provides protection after about two weeks, during which the body mounts an immune response that lasts about six months. An immunization remains the best way to prevent flu and its complications.

Bishop recommends frequent hand washing, covering mouths when coughing and staying home when ill as the best ways to prevent transmission of the flu. Avoid touching the eyes or mouth to prevent infection from virus picked up on hands.

Health officials say an adult may infect another person one day before the onset of flu symptoms. Most people become ill from one to three days after infection with a virus.

Flu symptoms include fever, headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches. Other symptoms, particularly in children, include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Flu surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies Montana as a state with sporadic flu activity. Florida, Alabama and Georgia have widespread cases.

Because of insufficient early data, the CDC hasn't determined how well the circulating strains will match.

According to national statistics, an average of 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population becomes infected with the flu virus each year. More than 200,000 spend time in hospitals from complications, and about 36,000 die from influenza.

"The good news is there's still time for people to get their flu shots," Bishop said.

Health officials urge people at high risk for flu complications to get vaccinated. These groups include children ages 6 to 59 months, pregnant women, people older than 50 and people with chronic medical conditions.

Health-care workers, child-care providers, and household members of at-risk people should also receive a vaccination.

Unlike recent years, flu vaccine remains widely available. Bishop said the county Health Department still had a good supply for all ages after the mass clinic held in early November.

For more information, call the county Health Department at 751-8110.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.