Flu cases few across Missouri so far as flu season approaches
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Flu cases in Missouri remain relatively low, but medical experts said that could change as the season gets underway.
Flu season officially begins Oct. 1, and health experts are encouraging people to take steps now to protect themselves.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ latest weekly flu report, there have been more than 160 reported flu cases in the state so far this season, including 96 cases of influenza A and 68 cases of influenza B.
Dr. Lana Zerrer, chief medical officer at Boone Health, said the hospital has only seen a few flu cases so far.
“We've only had a few here at Boone Health so far this year. It's still really early,” Zerrer said.
Zerrer added it is too soon to know how the flu season will play out. She said health officials often look to the Southern Hemisphere’s flu season for clues about what to expect in the U.S.
“The southern hemisphere had a milder flu season this year, and that's usually what we look at to see what our flu season is going to look like. So hopefully this flu season will be better than last year,” Zerrer said.
Medical experts said older adults and people with certain underlying health conditions can face a higher risk of serious flu complications.
Zerrer said adults 65 and older who also have conditions such as heart disease, lung disease or diabetes are at greater risk.
“People who are elderly, and when I say that, I mean over 65, if they have any kind of comorbid conditions, so that means they have something like heart disease or lung disease or diabetes, then they're higher risk for complications for the flu,” Zerrer said.
Zerrer said people experiencing shortness of breath, a high heart rate or low blood pressure should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Local in-home care providers are also taking precautions to protect senior patients and caregivers.
BrightStar Care typically serves about 50 patients, with roughly 40 receiving frequent visits from its team of about 12 nurses.
Shelly Smyser, director of nursing at BrightStar Care, said the service encourages patients and caregivers to get vaccinated and keeps track of who has received a flu shot.
“Before October, we do a reminder. Everybody has to either get a flu shot or fill out a form declining why they don't get it,” Smyser said. “If we have homes where people are really sensitive, then we're sending the vaccinated people.”
Caregivers also have personal protective equipment available in patients’ homes, including masks, gowns and hand sanitizer. Smyser said the supplies are available to help protect both patients and caregivers from illness.
Patients also self-report their current health status to caregivers. Smyser said patients are screened before a caregiver arrives at their home, allowing staff to prepare for any symptoms, including fever or cough.
Smyser said the severity of patients’ illnesses can vary, but BrightStar Care receives referrals from hospitals each year for patients recovering from serious cases of the flu.
“Every year we get at least one or two referrals from the hospital for people that have been really sick and people that have underlying conditions like diabetes and heart disease,” Smyser said. “And so they get really ill with the flu, and then they call us when they're going home because they're weak and they need help.”
Boone Health said flu vaccines are available and can be covered through patients’ insurance. MU Health Care will also host its second free flu shot clinic this Saturday.
Check back for updates.
