SAULT STE. MARIE — An early “flu” season in Chippewa County has resulted in at least seven cases of influenza in Chippewa County so far, most of them children according to Dr. James Terrian, Chippewa County Health Department health officer.
It's not easy to avoid exposure to the flu virus because it is spread from person to person the same way a cold is spread — through coughing, sneezing, or talking, which sends the virus into the air. To help prevent spread, cover your mouth when you cough and cover your nose when you sneeze, wash hands frequently and keep sick kids home. Teachers should wipe tables and other common-area surfaces with a disinfectant often.
Unlike the common cold, influenza may cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in some people. Watch for symptoms including fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. Children may also have nausa, vomiting and diarrhea.
Bed rest at home and plenty of fluids are usually all that are needed for parents and children who get the flu. Avoid giving children decongestants without talking to a doctor first and never give aspirin containing products to children under 20 because of the risk of developing Reyes Syndrome.
Most healthy children recover from the flu without any problems but there may be complications such as ear infections, sinus problems or pneumonia. In rare cases flu can affect the nervous system and muscles, including the wall of the heart.
Be sure to call the doctor if a child has signs of complications such as those associated with dehydration like dry mouth and dark yellow urine, sore throat that keeps him from eating or drinking, seizures, earache, cough that produces discolored mucus, breathing difficulty and decreased alertness.
Call the Chippewa County Health Department at 635-1566 or the family doctor with any questions.
