Flu shots still available; over-50 crowd more at risk

More people are coming down with the flu in Orange County, similar to a trend nationwide, health officials said Thursday.

Influenza is not the only respiratory illness afflicting the public, Orange County health officer Eric Handler said. People can take preventive measures like washing their hands more often, covering their mouths when they sneeze or cough, or staying home from work or school when they’re sick, he said. Flu shots are still available.

People older than 50 and people with chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease are more susceptible to the flu, Handler said. Children from 6 months to 5 years old and pregnant women are also at risk. One or two deaths every flu season is common, he said. Flu symptoms include difficulty breathing, a persistent fever, dehydration or signs of improvement and then a recurrence. For more information on getting a flu shot, call the Orange County Health Care Agency’s hotline at (800) 564-8448.

— Joseph Serna