Flu cases spike across New Mexico
Compared to the same time last year, influenza-like illness activity is twice as great, with the current flu season not yet reaching its peak, officials announced Thursday.
The number of flu related deaths has risen in
Since October, the
"We have not seen an increase in flu activity this early in the winter in the past five years," said
Vaccine recommended
Flu vaccine is produced every year and is always made to address the top flu strains of the previous season.
Flu shots remain highly recommended for the following high-risk groups:
* Pregnant women (any trimester) and up to two weeks post-partum
* Children younger than 5 but especially children younger than 2 years old
* People age 65 years and older
* People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, and lung or heart disease and those with immunosuppression from medication or disease
* People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
* People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including healthcare personnel and caregivers of babies younger than 6 months
*
* People who are morbidly obese
People in these high-risk groups should also consider seeing their healthcare provider to be evaluated for antiviral medications if they develop flu symptoms. Flu symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, headache and/or muscle aches. Antiviral medications can lessen the severity of the symptoms and potential bad outcomes including hospitalization and even death, and help high-risk patients recover sooner.
Flu shots available
NMDOH also recommends that you ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you need the pneumococcal vaccine which can be given at the same time as flu vaccine. Influenza frequently leads to pneumonia that can be prevented by the pneumococcal vaccine.
The health department offers flu vaccinations while supplies last for people without insurance or who are otherwise not able to get vaccinated. For a list of public health offices in
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