The winter season holds countless opportunities for fun, from cozy evenings at home by the fireplace to adventurous days on the ski slopes. But along with the snowflakes comes the inevitable: the flu.

This year the flu hit hard all across the nation. According to a recent Gallup poll, “An average 4.0% of Americans reported being sick with flu on any given day in December [2014]. This is higher than all previous Decembers since Gallup began tracking the flu daily in 2008, and is one of the highest rates for any month over the past seven years.”

In December the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that the flu was widespread in 43 of the 50 states. Utah was no exception. During the week of December 28, 2014 our GermWatch reported 684 cases of Influenza A in Utah.

But don’t resign to the flu season blues just yet. We have some good news too. The flu peaked in Utah in late December, and the number of cases is steadily declining! You can track this decline and other germ activity through our tool called GermWatch. This tool, accessible through our website and our Health Hub mobile app, gives you real-time information about germ activity in your area. This information helps doctors diagnose and treat infections appropriately and helps you stay informed about what is going around and what to look out for.

Even with the decline in flu cases, flu activity is still moderately high in most counties throughout the state. This means taking preventative measures is still very important. Though seasonal flu infections are not life threatening for most people, they can be dangerous for young children, older adults, and others with certain health concerns.

Here are a few ways to practice prevention and stop the spread of the flu:

• Get a flu shot – it is not too late! You can find sites that still have available vaccines at www.immunize-utah.org.
• Wash your hands often and well.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Remember, if you are sick, stay home from school or work.
• Cover your sneezes and coughs.
• Use a tissue once, then throw it away and wash your hands.

Large, high traffic locations and events are always hot spots for germ activity too. That is why Intermountain is providing extra preventative resources to the community ahead of the Sundance Film Festival starting on January 22.

In an effort to combat the flu and help festivalgoers stay healthy, we opened a Flu Shot Clinic inside the airport’s Terminal 2, between concourses C and D. “We want people to enjoy the Sundance Film Festival, and not get sick because of it,” notes Intermountain’s Park City Medical Center CEO Rob Allen. “The convenience of being able to get a flu shot right at the airport really is a benefit to travelers coming to Park City for the Festival.”

Festivalgoers and others alike should be aware if they begin to experience flu-like symptoms. Seasonal flu symptoms usually come on fast, causing chills, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, dry cough, and sore throat. Sometimes, it will cause a runny or stuffy nose or, in young children, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

If you are not feeling 100% but do not know what it is you are experiencing, try using our Symptom Checker. This tool can help determine if you might have the flu, or something else. Remember though, if you are ever in doubt or think you may be experiencing more serious symptoms, contact your doctor for extra care.

Sources:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/180434/flu-cold-reports-among-highest-2008.aspx