WHITMAN COUNTY, Wash. – Whitman County Public Health has announced its first flu death of the 2023-2024 flu season.
The specifics of the person has not released but it is revealed that is was a Whitman County resident.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. Some people, such as those over the age of 65, young children, pregnant women, American Indian/Alaska Natives and those with certain health conditions, are at a higher risk for serious complications.
People who experience the flu may have these symptoms:
Fever Headache Extreme tiredness Cough Muscle or body aches Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Vomiting and diarrhea, though is more common in children than in adults
Emergency symptoms may include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Chest pain Ongoing dizziness Seizures Worsening of existing medical conditions Severe weakness or muscle pain
To prevent the flu from spreading, Whitman County Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone from six months old and older get immunized against the flu as the vaccine promotes antibody protection within two weeks.
