Two men are dead from influenza in Stanislaus County as respiratory viruses spread
Stanislaus County health officials advised the public Thursday that the seasonal flu can be dangerous — and not just for the elderly.
County public health reported that two men younger than 65 died from influenza. They were the first flu-related deaths in the 2022-23 influenza season among adults who are not in the senior population, a news release said.
Citing medical privacy laws, county Health Services did not release more information about the two fatalities.
Stanislaus County, like other areas of California, has recently experienced the triple threat of influenza, RSV and the highly contagious omicron variants of COVID-19.
Symptoms of the seasonal flu include fever, cough, a sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, headache and fatigue, according to the county news release.
“While anyone can get sick with the flu and become severely ill, some people are more likely to experience severe flu illness,” the news release said.
Young children, seniors older than 65, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions are at greater risk of serious flu illness. Patients may require hospitalization and the illness can be fatal, the news release said.
People who have possible flu symptoms can be tested at the OptumServe COVID-19 test sites in Stanislaus County. There’s a drive-thru site at the Salida Library parking lot, 4835 Sisk Road, and testing is also done at the Rube Boesch Center, 275 N. Orange St., Turlock.
The Salida test site is open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but is closed from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The testing in Turlock runs Sunday through Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed from 11 a.m. to noon.
Walk-ins are allowed, but testing is easier if people register first at the state My Turn program, a county spokeswoman said.
Health care providers are able to prescribe antiviral drugs for influenza patients to shorten or lower severity of the illness. Medications such as Tamiflu are used as early treatment for people who are vulnerable to serious complications because of their age or chronic health conditions, the county said.
In the news release, health officials strongly recommended that county residents get a flu shot and also get updated on their COVID-19 vaccination, as the respiratory viruses continue to spread in the region. The seasonal flu and COVID vaccines are available from health care providers, pharmacies and clinics.
Other precautions include wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings, washing hands and staying home if you are not feeling well.
People can find other information about seasonal influenza and flu shots at the county health services website and www.vaccinefinder.org.
This story was originally published December 29, 2022 at 12:53 PM.
