Stay Healthy this Fall and Winter!

Influenza, or "flu" is a contagious respiratory virus that can cause mild to severe illness, and at times lead to death. Every flu season is different, and flu can affect people differently, but during typical flu seasons, millions of people get flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes. Unlike COVID-19, the flu can make even young children very sick. 

Symptoms of the Flu

• Fever, chills
• cough
• sore throat
• muscle or body aches
• stuffy or runny nose
• headaches
• fatigue
• children may have vomiting and diarrhea

Sometimes, complications from the flu occur and can cause ear infections, and pneumonia, and it can worsen conditions like asthma and diabetes in some people.

How Flu Spreads

• Mainly through tiny droplets made when a person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets land on the noses and mouths of other people who are nearby. Sometimes these germs can be picked up by touching a surface that has droplets on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes
• People with flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins. It's important to stay home whenever you're sick, especially when you have a fever. 

Preventing the Flu

Getting a flu vaccine each year is an important step in preventing the flu. The vaccine has been shown to reduce flu-related illness the risk of serious flu complications. Just as we learned through the COVID-19 pandemic, everyday prevention is also helpful in preventing respiratory illnesses, like the flu. These include frequent handwashing, staying away from those who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and even wearing a face covering can help reduce the chances that you'll get sick with the flu. 

Treatments for Flu

Most people who get the flu do not have serious complications and recover within a couple of weeks. While there is no cure for the flu, there are prescription anti-viral medicines that can help a person feel better quicker if they are started right away. Talk with your doctor about the best ways to treat the flu. 

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop a couple of weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against flu viruses. You can find detailed information on the CDCs website about flu vaccines!

Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine? 

People 6 months and older in the United States should get a flu vaccine each season, with some rare exceptions.  This has been the recommendation from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices  since the 2010-2011 flu season.

Vaccination to prevent flu is especially important for people who are at higher risk of having serious illness from the flu. 

Flu Vaccine Safety: 

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) closely monitor the safety of vaccines approved for use in the United States. CDC uses two primary systems to monitor the safety of flu vaccines:
  • Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
  • Vaccine safety Datalink (VSD) 

Additional Resources: 

• Learn more about Influenza (Flu) vaccine safety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Flu Vaccine Safety Page. 

For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Larimer County, visit www.larimer.gov/covid19

Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Both viruses are spread through the respiratory droplets of someone who has influenza or COVID-19. Many of the practices to prevent COVID-19 can help prevent the flu. These practices include handwashing and/or using hand sanitizer, staying home when feeling sick, avoiding large crowds indoors, wearing a well-fitting mask, and covering coughs and sneezes.

Compared with flu, COVID-19 can cause more severe illness in some people. Compared to people with flu, people infected with COVID-19 may take longer to show symptoms and may be contagious for longer periods of time. To learn more about the similarities and differences between influenza and COVID-19, visit the CDC's website. 

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 vaccination, please visit www.larimer.gov/covidvaccine.

Appointments are required for all vaccines at the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, including COVID-19. Please call (970) 498-6700 to make an appointment. 

Please contact your local pharmacy or primary care provider to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine through your private insurance. Larimer County Health Department does not accept private insurance. 

Respiratory Synctial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that can cause mild symptoms similar to a cold. Most people with RSV will recover in a week or two but the virus can sometimes be serious for high-risk groups. Infants and older adults are more likely to get severe RSV and may need hospitalization. 

Symptoms of RSV

People with RSV usually begin to have symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms can appear gradually and not all at once.  Symptoms usually include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Decreased Appetite
• Fever
• Wheezing

How RSV Spreads

RSV is spread in the following ways:

• When an infected person coughs or sneezes
• When you have direct contact with the virus, such as kissing the face of a child with RSV
• When virus droplets from a cough or sneeze enter your eyes, nose, or mouth
• When you touch a surface that has the virus on it and touch your face before washing your hands

People with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days and may be contagious a day or two before they start to show any symptoms. Some infants and people with weakened immune systems can spread the virus longer, even after they stop showing symptoms. 

Preventing RSV

Vaccines are available for groups that are higher risk for severe illness from RSV. Older adults, pregnant people, and infants may be eligible to receive an RSV immunization. 

For people who are less likely to get a severe RSV illness, everyday preventive actions can reduce the likelihood of getting or spreading RSV. 

• Stay home if you are sick
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve. Do not cover coughs and sneezes with your hands. 
• Wash hands often with soap and water. 
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. 
• Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and mobile devices. 

Care for RSV

Most RSV infections will go away on their own within a week or two, but can cause illness in some people. Medication is not usually recommended to fight RSV. There are several steps you can take to relive symptoms, including drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and managing fever and pain with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers if appropriate. 

RSV vaccines are available for groups that are higher risk for severe illness from RSV. 

RSV vaccines can help protect people 60 years of age and older from severe illness. Older adults are at a higher risk for serious complications from RSV. If you are 60 or older, talk to your healthcare provider to see if RSV vaccination is right for you. 

Infants may also be at greater risk for complications from RSV. RSV vaccines are available for people who are pregnant (between 32-36 weeks) to help prevent RSV in newborns. There is also a new monoclonal antibody (not a vaccine) recommended for all infants under 8 months that are entering their first RSV season. It is also recommended children 19 months and under who have the following underlying medical conditions: 

• Children who have chronic lung disease from being born prematurely
• Children who are severely immunocompromised
• Children with cystic fibrosis who have severe disease
• American Indian and Alaska Native children