Health officials urge flu shots as virus spreads
By Benjamin Graham, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
Date: December 7, 2012
More flu cases have sprung up in Wyoming, but the illness has yet to reach Teton County in serious numbers.
Still, as part of National Influenza Vaccination Week, public health officials are recommending residents get flu shots now.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an increase in flu activity across the country over the last two weeks may indicate an early flu season.
In Wyoming, a rash of cases have been reported in Sheridan, Campbell and Big Horn counties. But the CDC still labels the state as “local,” when referring to the nature of influenza outbreaks.
Few to no cases have been reported in Teton County.
“It’s still kind of remaining in the northern counties,” said Kim Deti, Wyoming Department of Health spokes-woman. “But now is the time. We wouldn’t want people to wait to get their flu vaccines.”
The flu is caused by a virus that assaults the respiratory system. Symp-toms vary, but can include headache, sore throat, fever, dry cough, muscle aches and stuffy nose.
Common sense measures to guard against influenza include washing your hands thoroughly, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and staying home when you are ill.
A few doses of the vaccine are still available at Teton County Public Health, which charges $15 for the shot and $25 for the nasal spray. The office has run out of high-dosage vaccines generally reserved for the elderly.
St. John’s Family Health and Urgent Care Clinic, Emerg-a-Care and area grocery stores are also providing the shots.