Flu season heats up as weather warms

The flu season is still in full-swing despite warm spring temperatures rolling into the area.

Connie Gistand, regional medical director for the Office of Public Health Region 3, said that the flu season is a long way from being over in St. Charles Parish and that people should take time to protect themselves and their loved ones from the illness.

“Let’s not be misled by the 70-80 degree temperature…influenza activity is still very high in the area and we expect to see flu activity well into April,” Gistand said. “It’s not too late to vaccinate.”

Gistand said that flu activity this year has been high in St. Charles, along with six out of the nine Office of Public Health regions throughout Louisiana.

Everyone six months and older is encouraged to get the flu vaccine, especially people who are very young, very old, pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions that suppress the immune system. Gistand also said that it is important for anyone who regularly comes in contact with these groups of people to get vaccinated, especially those who handle children under six months old.

This year’s vaccine covers three different strains of influenza: type A, type B and H1N1, or swine flu. One child in Louisiana died from complications related to the H1N1 flu in Shreveport last month.

Once vaccinated, Gistand said it takes 10 to 14 days for a person to become immune to the flu.

Other preventative measures include coughing or sneezing into your elbow, keeping a six-foot distance from others who are coughing or sneezing, and staying home when you have a fever and for 24 hours after the fever has broken. The flu virus can also stay active on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours, so wiping down areas such as telephones, door knobs, faucets and computers, and thoroughly cleaning flatware and utensils is imperative.

“If we take these things into consideration…then we can decrease the spread,” Gistand said.

Julia Bodden, with the St. Charles Community Health Center, said that flu vaccines are available at all community health center facilities for $10. Walk-ins are welcome and no appointment is needed.

The main campus of the clinic is located at 843 Milling Ave. in Luling and is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Call the clinic at (985)785-5800 for more information.