A Santa Clara County adult under age 65 is the first flu-related death reported in the county this flu season, public health officials announced Thursday.
The victim, who died earlier this month, had not received this year’s flu vaccine and suffered from other medical conditions that placed the person at greater risk of severe complications from the flu, Santa Clara County health officials said.
Deaths due to laboratory-confirmed flu among anyone up to age 64 must be reported in California. But state medical privacy laws prevent any other identifying details about the individual — including their age, race, gender — from being released.
County public health officials said no other cases of severe flu have been reported this flu season, which continues through spring each year.
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. Its symptoms may be similar to those of the common cold, but are usually more severe.
While health experts urge everyone six months and older to get vaccinated every year, they say it’s especially important for pregnant women, children younger than five, adults 65 and older, and those with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes.
Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. To protect yourself against the flu, public health officials advise that you:
- Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue.
- If you do not have a tissue, cough into your elbow.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Stay home when you are sick, and keep your children home when they are sick.
- Stay home until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours.
For more information, visit the Santa Clara County flu web page. To find more locations that offer flu vaccines, use the Vaccine Finder.
