The South Carolina Department of Public Health announced Wednesday the state’s first flu-related death of the season. “Sadly, a person from the Midlands region has died from complications related to influenza, the first confirmed case of this season, which officially began on September 29,” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist and DPH health program director. This was an influenza-related death.” “This is yet another reminder that influenza is deadly. Unfortunately, our state experiences many influenza deaths, hospitalizations, and other serious complications each year. ” said Dr. Bell. DPH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone six months of age and older get a flu shot. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of complications from the virus, such as young children, pregnant women, people over 65, and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart or lung disease. However, even healthy people can develop serious complications from influenza. Flu season can occur any time of the year, but for surveillance purposes, flu season began on September 29th. DPH provides a weekly influenza surveillance report published every Wednesday. Protecting yourself from the flu and other respiratory viruses includes getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, and staying home or leaving for others while sick. Officials said it takes about two weeks for the body’s immune system to fully respond to protect itself. For complete protection, it is important to get vaccinated as soon as possible. “Regardless of how this season turns out, we can be prepared for significant activity not just from influenza but from respiratory diseases overall, including COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),” Dr. Bell said. said. “As with the flu, getting vaccinated is the best protection against serious illness caused by COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus. According to DPH, if you are sick with one or more of these respiratory illnesses, Most people who get sick have mild symptoms and recover in one to two weeks, but some people can become seriously ill. The groups most at risk for severe disease and complications are infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions, as the latest COVID-19 vaccines for 2024-2025 are now available. It is recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months. The vaccine has been updated to give maximum protection against the currently circulating new coronavirus strain (which varies like the influenza virus). That’s why it’s important to get the 2024-2025 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, both the influenza vaccine and the latest COVID-19 vaccine, from your retail pharmacy, health care provider, or DPH Health Department. COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are available at the same time. Influenza vaccines are available at DHEC Health Department clinics by appointment only. Visit DPH’s website to find a location near you. More information about flu prevention can be found on DPH’s Influenza webpage. Also, follow Flu Watch and Respiratory Disease Watch, updated every Wednesday. Monitor respiratory disease activity in your state.
COLUMBIA, S.C. —
The South Carolina Department of Public Health announced Wednesday the state’s first flu-related death of the season.
“Sadly, a person from the Midlands region has died from complications related to influenza, the first confirmed case of this season, which officially began on September 29,” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist and DPH health program director. This was an influenza-related death.” branch.
“This is a sobering reminder that the flu can be deadly. Unfortunately, our state experiences many deaths, hospitalizations, and other serious complications from the flu each year. It’s happening,” Dr. Bell said. “Getting vaccinated against this disease is the best way to prevent influenza, and we recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible.”
DPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone six months of age and older get vaccinated. Influenza prevention is especially important for people at high risk of complications from the virus, including young children, pregnant women, people over 65, and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart or lung disease. However, even healthy people can develop serious complications from influenza.
Although influenza can occur at any time of the year, for surveillance purposes, influenza season began on September 29th. DPH provides a weekly influenza surveillance report published every Wednesday.
Prevention methods to protect yourself from the flu and other respiratory viruses include getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, and staying home or staying away from others while sick.
Officials said it takes about two weeks for the body’s immune system to mount a full defense. For complete protection, it is important to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“Regardless of how this season turns out, we can be prepared for significant activity not just from influenza but from respiratory diseases overall, including COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),” Dr. Bell said. said. “As with influenza, getting vaccinated is the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus. People should discuss vaccination with their health care provider.”
According to DPH, you can have one or more of these respiratory illnesses. Most people who become ill have mild symptoms and recover in 1 to 2 weeks. However, some people may become seriously ill. Infants, young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions are most at risk for serious illness and complications from these respiratory illnesses.
The latest COVID-19 vaccines for 2024-2025 are now available and recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. 2024-2025 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as vaccines are updated to give maximum protection against currently circulating new coronavirus strains (which vary like the influenza virus). It is important to get vaccinated. Both the influenza vaccine and the latest COVID-19 vaccine are available at retail pharmacies, health care providers, or the DPH Health Department. You can receive the COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccine at the same time.
Flu vaccines offered at DHEC Health Department clinics are by appointment only. Call (855) 472-3432 to make a reservation or visit DPH’s website to find a location near you.
More information about influenza prevention can be found on DPH’s Influenza webpage. Also, follow Influenza Watch and Respiratory Disease Watch, updated every Wednesday, to monitor respiratory disease activity in the state.
