First Flu Death Under Age 65 Reported In Santa Clara County

SAN JOSE, CA -- If you're feeling like crud but know you're capable of running a marathon at any other time, know this -- influenza knows no discrimination.

The first person in Santa Clara County under 65 years old has died of the flu during this 2018-2019 flu season, thus prompting health officials to needle their citizens about getting the shot and wash their hands in an unpredictable year for good health.

Granted, county public health officials are unaware whether the undisclosed person who died got the flu vaccination. But Dr. Sara Cody, county health officer and director of the public health department, said the individual who died had other medical conditions that placed the individual at increased risk of severe complications from the flu. Due to medical privacy laws, further details about the individual have not been released.

During the 2017–2018 flu season, 11 flu-associated deaths in people under 65 years were reported in Santa Clara County. The year before was only two. In the 2016-17 season, six fatal cases were reported. While the first death is not unusual, what is unique to health officials is that it usually "happens in the fall," the county's Deputy Health Officer George Han pointed out.

Four cases of severe flu in individuals under age 65 were reported to Santa Clara County Public Health this season.

Still -- despite the late start and discovery of the fatal having other health ailments, Han warned people to refrain from having complacency about this year's flu season.

"Even though we talk about its effect on the elderly and young, a person who's perfectly healthy can come down with the flu and be hospitalized and even die," Han told Patch.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 80,000 people of all ages in the nation died of the flu and its complications during last year’s season. About 80 percent of those who died were unvaccinated.

More information on flu activity is summarized at CDC Seasonal Influenza (Flu) website.

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms of the flu may be similar to those of the common cold, but are usually more severe. The flu season continues through spring each year.

While flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, it is especially important for pregnant women, children younger than age 5, adults over 65 and those with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, asthma and diabetes. The vaccine takes about two weeks for the protection provided to begin.

In addition to getting the vaccine, health officials advise people to take the following steps to protect themselves and loved ones from flu. They are:

• Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue.
• If you do not have a tissue, cough into your elbow.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Stay home when you are sick and keep your children home when they are sick.
• Stay home until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours.

When asked the age-old question of when sufferers are the most contagious to others, Han declared: "It depends on the person."

The common notion is a person is most contagious the day before symptoms show up to a week or two later. With children, they can be contagious with the flu longer because their bodies' immune systems "are not as strong."

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. People at higher risk of severe disease who show flu symptoms should contact their medical provider. Medical providers may prescribe antiviral medications that reduce the severity and duration of illness. Antibiotics are not effective against the flu.

The flu vaccine is available at doctor's offices, pharmacies and retail stores.

And those suffering from it are advised to rest, drink plenty of liquids and take medications designed to reduce fever.

For more information about the flu, visit the Santa Clara County flu web page, sccphd.org/flu. Find more locations near you that offer flu vaccine using the Vaccine Finder.

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