Last week, the first two influenza cases were confirmed in Cascade County when one person was diagnosed with influenza A and another was diagnosed with influenza B.
The Cascade City-County Health Department said in a news release on Friday that it is not cause for alarm, but does serve as a reminder that now is a good time to get immunized against this potentially serious illness.
Tom Lambert, a public health nurse with CCHD, explained, "The flu shot has been a proven way to protect the individual from becoming ill, but also and equally important, it will prevent that person from being contagious to the community around them. So an individual getting a flu shot can easily prevent their household, their coworkers, anybody that they’re going to be around, from becoming ill with the flu."
The CCHD said in a press release that getting immunized is the best way to prevent the flu. Flu shots are available for anyone six months and older at the CCHD almost every day, including a higher dose vaccine for people aged 50 and older. There is no cost with most insurance, but please remember to bring your insurance card. The cost is $30 with all other forms of payment (high dose vaccine excluded), and no child will be denied vaccinations for an inability to pay.
Cascade County Health Department Immunization Hours:
- Mondays — no shots hours
- Tuesdays — 8:30-11:30 AM
- Wednesday to Friday — 8:30-11:30 AM & 1:00-4:30 PM
All clinic hours are offered on a drop-in basis, and no appointment is needed.
The CCHD is located at 115 4th Street South; for more information, visit the website, or call 406-454-6950.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention offers the following tips for preventing the spread of flu:
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that 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 for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.
