The Wyoming Department of Health is reporting high flu activity recently in the state with a more dangerous strain -- H3N2.
“Reports have been showing high levels of activity across the state for the last few weeks,” said Clay Van Houten, interim state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health. “We don’t know whether we’ve yet reached the peak of activity.”
“Influenza should not be overlooked as a serious threat. Our public health laboratory testing is showing that H3N2 is the flu strain circulating around the state and nation,” said Clay Van Houten, interim state epidemiologist with WDH. “This is concerning because we tend to see more hospitalizations and deaths reported during seasons when this type of flu is dominant, especially among young children and older adults.”
Though many people view the flu as no more than a nasty nuisance, the contagious respiratory illness shouldn’t be downplayed, Van Houten said.
People who contract influenza feel generally miserable through a combination of fever, headache, tiredness, a dry cough, sore throat, and a runny or stuffy nose. Muscle aches are common.