Flu Information | Toledo Lucas County Health Department

The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is excited to keep you and your loved ones healthy this flu season. It is not too late to be vaccinated. Flu Season runs from October 1 through May 1.

All insurances may be billed, including Medicare Part B and Ohio Medicaid. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months of age and older, and able to be vaccinated, should receive the flu vaccine each year.

For individuals requiring special accommodations, please contact the Health Department at 419-213-2013, to set up an appointment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months of age and older, and able to be vaccinated, should receive the flu vaccine each year.

All flu shot clinics require an appointment.

Please call 419-213-2013 to schedule.

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk of serious flu complications.

The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.

Weekly Flu Report (2022-2023 Season)

Weekly Flu Report (2019-2020 Season)

Weekly Flu Reports (2018-2019 Season)

General Flu Information

Most people who get the flu will have a mild illness, will not need medical care or antiviral drugs, and will recover in less than two weeks. Some people, however, are more likely to get flu complications that can result in hospitalization and sometimes death. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications. The flu also can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may experience a worsening of this condition triggered by the flu. Some groups of people are more likely to get serious flu-related complications if they get sick with influenza.

Who is At High Risk for Getting Flu?

People at High Risk for Developing Flu-Related Complications

Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
Adults 65 years of age and older
Pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum)
Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
Also, American Indians and Alaskan Natives seem to be at higher risk of flu complications

People who have medical conditions including:

Asthma
Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability, moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].
Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease)
Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
Kidney disorders
Liver disorders
Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids)
People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
People with extreme obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or more) Calculate your Body Mass Index or BMI

Note: There is no recommendation for pregnant women or people with pre-existing medical conditions to get special permission or written consent from their doctor or health care professional for influenza vaccination if they get vaccinated at a worksite clinic, pharmacy, or other location outside of their physician’s office. For more information, visit Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines.

Take Time to Get Vaccinated

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will be most common. (See Vaccine Virus Selection for this season’s vaccine composition.)
Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year before flu activity begins in their community. CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October, if possible. Learn more about vaccine timing.
CDC recommends the use of injectable influenza vaccines (including inactivated influenza vaccines and recombinant influenza vaccines) during 2017-2018. The nasal spray flu vaccine (live attenuated influenza vaccine or LAIV) should not be used during 2017-2018.
Vaccination of high-risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
- People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease, and people 65 years and older.
- Vaccination also is important for healthcare workers, and other people who live with or care for high-risk people to keep from spreading the flu to them.
- Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for infants should be vaccinated instead.

Preventive Actions to Avoid Getting Sick

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
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. Germs spread this way.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.

Information for Healthcare Professionals

The pages listed below offer public health and healthcare professionals key information about vaccination, infection control, prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of seasonal influenza.

For additional information, visit CDC’s flu website for Healthcare Providers.

All flu shot clinics require an appointment.

Please call 419-213-2013 to schedule.

DEPARTMENT INFO

CONNECT