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Two flu deaths reported in county
Flu versus cold
This graphic helps understand the differences between flu and a regular cold.

Stanislaus County Public Health Department officials have been notified of two men dying from the flu. The deaths are the county’s first flu-related deaths of persons under the age of 65 this season.

Details about the victims and their hometowns were not released because of medical privacy laws.

While anyone may get sick with the flu, some people are more likely to experience severe flu illness. Young children, adults who are 65 and older, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions are among those highest at risk of serious flu complications, possibly requiring hospitalization.

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.

People who suspect they have the flu – particularly those with underlying health conditions – may get tested at the OptumServe COVID-19 testing sites, which include the Rube Boesch Center, 275 N. Orange Street, Turlock; or the Salida Library Parking Lot, 4835 Sisk Road, Modesto. Their providers may prescribe antiviral medications that reduce the severity and duration of illness. Anti-viral medications, such as Tamiflu, must be used early to treat people who are sick with the flu and have a greater chance of getting serious complications because of age or high-risk medical condition.

Antibiotics are not effective against the flu.

Along with the flu, local hospitals are also seeing high numbers of COVID-19, RSV and other respiratory viruses.

Public health officials strongly recommends that all persons get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19, wear a mask in crowded indoor public settings, wash hands frequently, and stay home if sick to help stop the spread of respiratory viruses.

It is still not too late to get your flu vaccines. Vaccines are available at physicians’ offices, clinics and pharmacies.

For more information about flu and flu shots, visit schsa.org/publichealth/pages/flu/ and vaccinefinder.org.