Influenza B cases are surging in Boise area, nearing holiday levels, medical group warns
Primary Health Medical Group said it’s seen a surge in influenza type B cases across the Treasure Valley.
The medical group, which has 23 clinics in the Boise area, saw over 250 cases of influenza just last week, with most of those cases being type B, it said in a news release Tuesday.
Influenza type B, along with type A, is responsible for the flu season and is often associated with increased rates for hospitalization and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu symptoms include include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches and fatigue.
“We’ve seen some pretty ill patients with this strain, so we encourage those with symptoms to get tested and receive anti-viral medication if they qualify,” Dr. Ann Weiss, a physician at Primary Health, said in the news release. “For healthy patients who haven’t received their annual flu vaccine, the CDC continues to recommend getting vaccinated as long as virus is spreading.”
Primary Health has urgent-care clinics in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Garden City and Kuna. It is the largest independent medical group in the state.
Patients who feel sick and want to be evaluated for the flu can walk in or book an urgent care appointment online at Primary Health. Masks are required and provided for all patients with illness symptoms, the news release said.
