Influenza B was identified in a resident of Carroll County. The subtypes of these isolates in Maryland are not yet known. Anyone at high-risk should get a flu shot annually because the virus strains change every year and the vaccine's protective effects begin to wear off after several months. Influenza is an acute viral respiratory illness characterized by fever, sore throat, cough, headache, and muscle aches. If serious symptoms occur such as dizziness when standing, shortness of breath, chest pain or severe headache, call your physician immediately.
Most people recover without complications within two to seven days.
Those persons 65 and older are also encouraged to protect themselves against pneumonia by getting pneumococcal vaccine when they get a flu shot, if they have not had pneumococcal vaccine previously. Unlike influenza vaccine, most people need only one shot of pneumococcal vaccine during their lifetime. Maryland's local health departments, many hospitals, and senior centers throughout the state conduct flu clinics. Citizens are encouraged to make arrangements with their personal physicians, or if they do not have one, to call their local health department to find out what is available in their area. Health care workers, including physicians, nurses, nursing home employees, and individuals who provide care at home to household members at risk, are also encouraged to be vaccinated against influenza to protect themselves and to prevent transmission of influenza to high risk persons.