Influenza taking toll in Kootenai County

Kootenai Health is monitoring an uptick in patient volumes this cold and flu season.

Influenza is the primary illness Kootenai Health caregivers are seeing, with cases significantly higher than last year — about twice the number of influenza cases reported in 2024. 

Both COVID-19 and Respiratory syncytial virus are occurring at much lower levels than in previous years, though they are still present.

"As of now, the influenza season is trending fairly similar to last year's flu season," according to a Kootenai Health statement. "There has been an increase in RSV this winter, which is typical for this time of year and we are still seeing pertussis cases in our region from an outbreak that started in the spring of 2024. 

Common symptoms associated with these illnesses include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches and a runny or stuffy nose. 

"We are also seeing complications such as pneumonia, sinus or ear infections and exacerbation of chronic health conditions, including diabetes and asthma," Kootenai Health reported.

So far this season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates, there have been at least 24 million flu illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths — including at least 57 children. Traditionally, flu season peaks around February, according to an Associated Press report.

Overall, 43 states reported high or very high flu activity last week. Flu was most intense in the South, Southwest and western states, the AP reported.

The Panhandle Health District reported there are several illnesses circulating including influenza, RSV, COVID and pertussis in the midst of the respiratory virus season.

"The data from the past two weeks indicates a sharp increase in influenza and an uptick in RSV," wrote Katherine Hoyer, PHD spokeswoman. "The positivity rate for flu has exceeded the 2023-2024 and the 2022-2023 flu seasons."

PHD said this year's flu season was similar to the 2023-2024 season, with about a 20% weekly specimen positivity rate. The COVID weekly specimen positivity rate has been hovering around 6-8%. 

Last year, PHD counted 388 cases of pertussis and 180. So far this year, there have been 10 pertussis cases and 73 RSV cases.

To prevent spreading germs, PHD recommends trying to stay home from work or school when you are sick, washing your hands often and seeking treatment when you are ill.

According to the CDC, about 45% of adults and kids received flu shots this winter.

Kootenai Health recommends that people get an annual flu vaccination.