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BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — Three people in Boulder County have been hospitalized with the flu so far this fall. Two of those people are older than 75 years old.

Flu season is just getting started.

“Boulder County Public Health is reminding residents to get flu shots to protect themselves and others during upcoming holiday travel and an anticipated increase in flu activity this winter,” a statement said.

It takes a couple of weeks to develop immunity from the flu after getting vaccinated.

Symptoms

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Fatigue

The virus can be spread to others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.

Those at higher risk from influenza include:

  • Children younger than 5 years (especially those younger than 2 years)
  • Adults 65 years and older
  • Pregnant women
  • People with certain chronic health conditions
    • Asthma
    • Diabetes
    • Heart or lung disease
    • Kidney disease

“Young children, elderly relatives and expecting mothers are the people we’re usually most excited to see during holiday gatherings and they’re also the most likely to become very ill if they get the flu,” said Carol Helwig, Boulder County Public Health Communicable Disease Control and HIV Prevention Program Coordinator. “The flu can be deadly. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep the virus from spreading.”

More ideas from Boulder County Health to reduce spread of illness

  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
  • While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to prevent infecting them.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth since germs are spread this way.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.