The Indiana Department of Health reported the first flu-related death of the 2021-2022 flu season.
Health officials say hundreds of Hoosiers get influenza each year and some cases prove fatal. Last year, seven Hoosiers died after getting the flu. In 2019, 137 people died of the flu.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box commented in a news release that the number of deaths was low in 2020 which is largely due to the COVID-19 mitigation measures.
According to the Indiana Department of Health, influenza is spread by respiratory droplets released when infected people cough or sneeze nearby or when people touch surfaces or objects contaminated with those infectious respiratory droplets. People can also become infected by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with influenza viruses and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose.
Common signs and symptoms of the flu include a fever, headache, fatigue, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose,
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone age six months and older get a flu vaccine each year. CDC officials say it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so they recommend early vaccination. However, the flu vaccine can be administered at any time during the season, which typically runs from October through May.
Residents are urged to discuss vaccination options with a health provider.
