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Josh Johnson/LVN file photo Patricia Drouin, left, receives a flu shot from Kathy Sanderson at Raley's in October 2005. Local physicians are reporting a mild to moderate flu season this winter.
A few local doctors say the bite of this year's influenza bug has yet to be fierce, but there's plenty of flu season left to spawn sniffles and chills.
This year's flu season seems on par or milder compared to past years, said Dr. Tim Hockenberry, a Fallon physician and Churchill County's health officer.
"So far, here in Fallon, this has been a fairly reasonable year," Hockenberry said. "I have not seen a huge number of flu cases yet."
The few influenza cases he's seen display the typical symptoms of an upper-respiratory illness, he said. The flu season, however, typically peaks later in the winter, Hockenberry said.
This year's flu season seems on par or milder compared to past years, said Dr. Tim Hockenberry, a Fallon physician and Churchill County's health officer.
"So far, here in Fallon, this has been a fairly reasonable year," Hockenberry said. "I have not seen a huge number of flu cases yet."
The few influenza cases he's seen display the typical symptoms of an upper-respiratory illness, he said. The flu season, however, typically peaks later in the winter, Hockenberry said.
Hockenberry's office has medication available to those who are regularly exposed to a family member or co-worker with the flu and can help ward off illness, he said. More than 200 flu vaccines are still available, he said.
Fallon physician Dr. Gary Ridenour had his own bout with the flu bug earlier this month. He spent 3.5 days at Washoe Medical Center following a diagnosis of influenza A and influenza B, he said.
The bug is also making an appearance in his patients.
"I'm seeing more this year than the last couple of years," Ridenour said.
Symptoms this year include dry cough, fever and body aches "like you've been beat up by a baseball bat," he said.
Fallon physician Dr. Gary Ridenour had his own bout with the flu bug earlier this month. He spent 3.5 days at Washoe Medical Center following a diagnosis of influenza A and influenza B, he said.
The bug is also making an appearance in his patients.
"I'm seeing more this year than the last couple of years," Ridenour said.
Symptoms this year include dry cough, fever and body aches "like you've been beat up by a baseball bat," he said.
The flu can lead to disorientation and dehydration, so those affected should stay well hydrated, Ridenour said. He said he's recommending the drug Flumadine as a prescription to combat the strain this year.
While the flu season appears to be mild to normal so far this year, other Northern Nevada communities haven't been so fortunate.
Students in Lovelock got an early start to their holiday break after schools were closed for half of Dec. 15 and all of Dec. 16 in an effort to stem a flu outbreak.
In the last week of 2005, influenza was widespread in Nevada and several southwest states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While the flu season appears to be mild to normal so far this year, other Northern Nevada communities haven't been so fortunate.
Students in Lovelock got an early start to their holiday break after schools were closed for half of Dec. 15 and all of Dec. 16 in an effort to stem a flu outbreak.
In the last week of 2005, influenza was widespread in Nevada and several southwest states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC recommends a yearly flu shot, avoiding close contact with sick persons, frequent hand washing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing and avoiding contact with the eyes, nose and mouth as measures to prevent the flu.
Local health officials told the LVN in October that no shortage of flu vaccine was reported, but delays in delivery were common. Flu shots were widely available in the area during the fall.
An Associated Press story released over the weekend reported that 91 percent of virus samples tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were resistant to rimantadine and amantadine. Last year, only 11 percent were. Flumadine is a form of rimantadine.
New flu drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza, may increase is use, which may increase the chance of the avian bird flu virus forming a resistance to them, according to the AP report.
Josh Johnson can be contacted at jjohnson@lahontanvalleynews.com
Local health officials told the LVN in October that no shortage of flu vaccine was reported, but delays in delivery were common. Flu shots were widely available in the area during the fall.
An Associated Press story released over the weekend reported that 91 percent of virus samples tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were resistant to rimantadine and amantadine. Last year, only 11 percent were. Flumadine is a form of rimantadine.
New flu drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza, may increase is use, which may increase the chance of the avian bird flu virus forming a resistance to them, according to the AP report.
Josh Johnson can be contacted at jjohnson@lahontanvalleynews.com
