SALT LAKE CITY — Flu season is in full force and has already reached epidemic levels in Utah and across the United States. Find out what you can do to slow the spread and why you still should get vaccinated.

Flu in Utah

With the disease spreading quickly, Salt Lake County epidemiologist Ilene Risk recommends that everyone get a shot to protect themselves.

"It's very alarming because people are extremely ill," she said. "If you are not vaccinated, there's no reason to delay."

The flu vaccination takes about two weeks to start working. Local health departments, family doctors and local pharmacies should have a list of locations. Utahns can also visit immunize-utah.org to find an immunization clinic.

The epidemiologist said the shot is still critical because the Salt Lake County Health Department has already seen more cases so far this flu season than it typically gets in an entire season.

"This flu season, we are seeing an uphill peak," she said. "We haven't hit the top yet."

The county reports more than 160 hospitalizations over the last week and a half, and eight deaths — that's up from two deaths just one week ago.

The weekly Centers for Disease Control influenza map shows widespread flu across the country. In Utah, 491 people have been hospitalized so far this season. Nearly half of those people are over the age of 65. The state's numbers will be updated in a new report out Wednesday. The county epidemiologist expects to see another rise.

"So, it's highly likely that you'll come into contact with someone who has influenza," Risk said.

Protect yourself with the shot

Dr. Marlana Li, who practices family medicine at University of Utah Health Care, says it’s critical to get the vaccine even if you think it’s not worth it anymore.

“The only way to protect yourself from the specific flu virus is to get the shot that has four different strains of flu in it,” Li said. “The main flu this year is a certain strain that may or may not be covered in the vaccine, but people should still get vaccinated.”

The reason for this, Li said, is that there may be “cross reactivity” in the body between the vaccine strains of the flu and the widespread flu strain. Your body can still recognize part of the flu virus and fight against it.

Another reason to get the vaccine is that your symptoms would be less severe. The shot will also protect you from all four strains found in the vaccine. And don’t think that just because you’ve already had the flu this year that you’re safe.

“You can get the flu several times,” Li said. “There’s not just one type of flu.”

If the vaccine didn’t work, doctors would say “don’t bother with it,” Li said, but with the four different strains in this year’s vaccine, they are still advising to get the shot. The four strains and this year’s main flu strain are still closely related and make the vaccine worth it.

Protect others by sanitizing everything, all the time

The most vulnerable groups to the flu are the elderly, babies and pregnant women, because they all have less-than-optimal immune systems, Li said.

She recommends following normal sanitation protocols to stop the spread:

• Avoid being around people who are sick.
• Avoid big, crowded places like stores and malls.
• If you have to go to the store, use the sanitary wipes and wipe off the cart.
• Use sanitary wipes on your doorknobs, faucets, toys and other surfaces in your home.
• Wash your hands often, such as after using a keyboard at work or the phone.
• Keep yourself well by eating healthy and getting enough sleep so that your immune system is strong.

Symptoms of the flu and what to do next

Risk said flu symptoms are easily distinguished from head colds and other illnesses.

"Within an hour or two, you're extremely sick, to where it is difficult to get out of bed to get a glass of water. And that doesn't go away anytime quick."

It may last for a week, she said, or even longer.

Look for the rapid onset of chills, fever, cough, sore throat, aches, muscle pains and a headache. Right when the person starts to get sick is when they're the most infectious, she said.

To prevent the spread of the active virus, people with the flu should wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their eyes and mouth with their hands, Li said. They should also wash their hands every time they sneeze or cough. If that’s not possible, the CDC recommends using hand sanitizer in its place.

It’s important to remember that people with the flu can re-infect themselves, Li added.

“If patients are experiencing the most common symptoms such as fever, chills and headache, see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours to prevent it from getting worse,” Li said. “It will also prevent spread to other people.”

Video Contributor: Jed Boal

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