According to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) article from October 2, 2018, influenza (flu) cases are showing up early this season in Montana. Influenza is a contagious, upper-respiratory disease caused by different strains of influenza viruses. While many people use the imprecise term “flu” to describe 24 or 48 hour bouts of illness, real influenza can interfere with normal daily activities for as long as a week.
Montana had 10,000 flu cases, 979 hospitalizations and 79 deaths related to influenza during the last flu season. Of those hospitalized, 71% were greater t...
