Southwestern Utah resident dies from the flu
A resident of Southwest Utah has died from influenza type A, the Southwest Utah Public Health Department confirmed on Tuesday.
The individual was an adult under the age of 65.
Kassidy Peterson, an epidemiologist with the Southwest Utah Public Health Department, said in a press release that 36 people in the region have been hospitalized for influenza this season.
"It's not too late to get vaccinated and we urge everyone to do so, especially those whose age or health condition makes them more vulnerable," she said in the release.
Influenza types A and B cause epidemics almost every winter in the U.S., according to the press release. The viruses are contagious and can spread by droplets when infected people talk, cough or sneeze.
According to WebMD, influenza type A is constantly changing, is generally responsible for large flu epidemics and can infect animals as well as people. In contrast, influenza type B is found only in humans and may cause a less severe reaction than type A, but it can occasionally still be extremely harmful.
Influenza symptoms may include rapid onset of fever, chills, cough, sore throat, muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Southwest Utah Public Health Department's press release.
The best way to prevent seasonal influenza, the release states, is by getting vaccinated every year.
Kaitlyn Bancroft reports on faith, health, education and under-served communities for The Spectrum & Daily News, a USA TODAY Network newsroom in St. George, Utah. She's a graduate of Brigham Young University's journalism program, and has previously written for The Denver Post, The Daily Universe, Deseret News and the Davis Clipper. You can reach her at KBancroft@thespectrum.com, or follow her on Twitter @katbancroft.