cHeroKee
02-14-2010, 09:33 AM
Worst of flu season may lie ahead (http://www.poststar.com/lifestyles/article_250ef97e-191e-11df-9694-001cc4c002e0.html)
By Fernando Quintero The Orlando Sentinel | Posted: Saturday, February 13, 2010 11:03 pm |
Swine flu may seem like last year's news. But health officials are urging those who have not been vaccinated against the virus - or the regular seasonal flu - to do so.
"It's not too late for people to get their flu shot because flu season typically peaks in January and February," said Orange County, Fla., Health Department spokesman Dain Weister. "We have seen a substantial decline in cases of H1N1, but that doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet."
Last week, a 38-year-old Orange County, Fla., man became the 189th swine flu-related death in Florida, after three weeks in which the state reported no deaths. Widespread influenza activity, the highest level of infection, was not reported by any counties last week. Thirty counties reported no activity, with the rest including counties in Central Florida reporting only sporadic activity.
Weister said doctors in Orange County also continued reporting fewer cases, including an estimated 90 percent drop in cases from peak flu season in mid-October according to Florida Hospital's Centra Care clinics. With 19 locations in four counties, Central Care provides a significant look at swine-flu activity in Central Florida.
While swine flu is on the decline, the predominant strain of circulating influenza virus remains H1N1. But doctors and other health professionals expect that to change in the coming weeks.
"H1N1 is still out there, and is probably going to stick around for a while," said Dr. Scott Brady, senior medical director of Centra Care clinics and co-chair of Florida Hospital's H1N1 task force. "But people need to remember there's another flu virus out there - the regular seasonal flu generally peaks in the second or third week of February, and that strain kills 36,000 adults a year."
Brady encourages residents to get protected against both the seasonal flu and H1N1, especially those with medical conditions who are at higher risk of flu-related complications. He said residents should be able to avoid the frustration some experienced over limited vaccine supplies when swine flu peaked last fall. Some clinics have even dropped their prices slightly due to the apparent glut of vaccine doses.
"There's plenty of vaccine to go around," said Weister. "People should also remember that anyone can get vaccinated. We are no longer asking priority groups or those at greatest risk of complications from the flu to get vaccinated first, which was the message the CDC was putting out when supplies were limited."
While health officials are no longer holding free mass vaccination events at schools, malls and other locations, some county health departments, such as Orange, are extending their hours. In Volusia, health officials said they will seek out nursing homes, schools and other locations where there are vulnerable populations to vaccinate. Residents should check with their county health department for vaccination locations and hours.
Brady said what many perceived to be a mild swine flu season should not lull residents into believing the flu virus is without danger.
"The message here is, get vaccinated. And if you're experiencing flu symptoms like body aches, fever and cough - seek medical attention," said Brady. "You can still get very sick, even die, from the flu."
By Fernando Quintero The Orlando Sentinel | Posted: Saturday, February 13, 2010 11:03 pm |
Swine flu may seem like last year's news. But health officials are urging those who have not been vaccinated against the virus - or the regular seasonal flu - to do so.
"It's not too late for people to get their flu shot because flu season typically peaks in January and February," said Orange County, Fla., Health Department spokesman Dain Weister. "We have seen a substantial decline in cases of H1N1, but that doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet."
Last week, a 38-year-old Orange County, Fla., man became the 189th swine flu-related death in Florida, after three weeks in which the state reported no deaths. Widespread influenza activity, the highest level of infection, was not reported by any counties last week. Thirty counties reported no activity, with the rest including counties in Central Florida reporting only sporadic activity.
Weister said doctors in Orange County also continued reporting fewer cases, including an estimated 90 percent drop in cases from peak flu season in mid-October according to Florida Hospital's Centra Care clinics. With 19 locations in four counties, Central Care provides a significant look at swine-flu activity in Central Florida.
While swine flu is on the decline, the predominant strain of circulating influenza virus remains H1N1. But doctors and other health professionals expect that to change in the coming weeks.
"H1N1 is still out there, and is probably going to stick around for a while," said Dr. Scott Brady, senior medical director of Centra Care clinics and co-chair of Florida Hospital's H1N1 task force. "But people need to remember there's another flu virus out there - the regular seasonal flu generally peaks in the second or third week of February, and that strain kills 36,000 adults a year."
Brady encourages residents to get protected against both the seasonal flu and H1N1, especially those with medical conditions who are at higher risk of flu-related complications. He said residents should be able to avoid the frustration some experienced over limited vaccine supplies when swine flu peaked last fall. Some clinics have even dropped their prices slightly due to the apparent glut of vaccine doses.
"There's plenty of vaccine to go around," said Weister. "People should also remember that anyone can get vaccinated. We are no longer asking priority groups or those at greatest risk of complications from the flu to get vaccinated first, which was the message the CDC was putting out when supplies were limited."
While health officials are no longer holding free mass vaccination events at schools, malls and other locations, some county health departments, such as Orange, are extending their hours. In Volusia, health officials said they will seek out nursing homes, schools and other locations where there are vulnerable populations to vaccinate. Residents should check with their county health department for vaccination locations and hours.
Brady said what many perceived to be a mild swine flu season should not lull residents into believing the flu virus is without danger.
"The message here is, get vaccinated. And if you're experiencing flu symptoms like body aches, fever and cough - seek medical attention," said Brady. "You can still get very sick, even die, from the flu."