Flu cases increased in Yellowstone County in December

Billings, Montana – Yellowstone County is seeing an increase in flu cases. As of December 27, 626 confirmed cases had been reported in the area, according to RiverStone Health. The virus seems to be spreading more widely than it has.

“One minute you’re okay, then two days later you’re not,” said Lora Bradley, a Laurel mother recovering from the flu on Wednesday.

It is powerful and lingering.

Bradley said her 18-day-old son has been ill.

“And that’s 18 days with a fever,” she said.

The Bradley family has a wealth of experience managing medical conditions. The family started a nonprofit organization called Mary’s Magical Moment to assist families affected with DIPG, an uncommon kind of juvenile cancer.

Montana is seeing a sharp increase in the number of flu cases. The illness is causing hardship for both adults and children in Yellowstone County.

“There was a day where 31 kids in my entire school were sick,” said Aiden Bradley, Lora’s son who also is recovering from the flu. “And it’s a small school. There’s only like 200 kids.”

This is not your typical flu; symptoms may persist for several weeks.

“Some days feel way better than others, and it could go for like a week you feel good,” Aiden said. “And then you just don’t feel good again.”

A family in Park City was also under stress.

“All of our kids have had Covid and this hit them way harder,” said Jaime Wystub, a mother of three.

Although the two families are still recuperating from the virus, they are not by themselves.

“I had a really painful deep cough. It hurt,” said Matt Wystub, Jaime’s husband. “And just fever, chills, I was sweating and then I was hot.”

As of December 27, 626 instances of influenza had been verified in Yellowstone County, according to Riverstone Health. Out of them, forty have been admitted to hospitals, and one has passed away.

In the past two weeks, several of the cases have been verified.

“I know it’s making a whole bunch of people pretty sick,” said Ben Beasley, an emergency physician at St. Vincent Healthcare.

According to Beasley, taking care of oneself and getting vaccinated are the best ways to prevent getting sick.

“Number one, get vaccinated. I think the majority of cases are in unvaccinated people,” Beasley said. “You can always wear a mask if you’re out in public. Especially if you come to the hospital, put a mask on. Keep yourself healthy.”

The Bradleys and Wystubs have some tips if you do end up sick.

“Drink lots of water, take your vitamins, and pray,” Lora Bradley said.

“I drank a lot of tea. A ton of tea. That deep cough was pretty painful,” said Jaime Wystub. “It kind of helped break things up. And chicken noodle soup.”