Not much flu -- yet

While much of the nation was reporting large outbreaks of flu late last week, only a few in San Juan County were being hit by the disease.

Twenty-eight students from the Orcas middle and high schools stayed home with flu-like symptoms Dec. 1 and 2. That number continued to drop as the week wore on, high school secretary Georgia Philbrook said. In the elementary school, four kids reported on Dec. 8 that they were not feeling well, according to Principal Coleen O’Brien.

“We haven’t had any verified cases of flu,” Beth Gieger, business manager at the Orcas Island Medical Center, told The Sounder Dec. 8. It was the same story at the Lopez Island Medical Clinic, according to nurse Jill Blair.

But “flu is definitely around,” cautioned John Manning, director of the San Juan County Health and Community Services Department. And those still hoping to get flu shots may be out of luck, because both the county and local clinics are reporting that there isn’t any vaccine available. Nevertheless, the health department continues to search for more vaccine, Manning said, and some may become available next week. Those still hoping to get a flu shot should call the health department at 378-4474 or their local clinics.

There are two types of flu going around this year. One is called Fuji Type A, while the other is named Panama Type A. The flu vaccine specifically covers the Panama flu, but not the Fuji flu, Manning said. “But Panama is a close relative of Fuji”... (and a flu shot) likely reduces the severity of the disease,” he explained.

Getting the full flu is never a pleasant experience, Manning said. “If it’s the real influenza, it’s not a nice thing to get. You get aches, pains and fever. You get really sick.”

Those who contract the disease are urged to contact their doctors, Manning said, adding that modern anti-viral medications are available to lessen the severity of the disease.

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