Area Flu Cases Increase

February 13, 2011

The height of flu season is here, according to health officials, and flu activity is on the rise in the local area.

Flu activity was moderate and increasing in Escambia, Santa Rosa and 26 other Florida counties, while it was considered widespread in two (Hardee and Holmes) counties, according to data released by the Florida Department of Health.

Flu-like illnesses were considered to be high in Alabama, while Florida’s level was moderate.

For those that believe they have the flu, a trip to the emergency room is usually not necessary and causes an unnecessary strain on area ER’s.

Most people with flu-like symptoms do not need to go to the Emergency Department,” said Dr. Mixon. “I would encourage those who have flu symptoms – fever, chills, cough, sore throat and body aches – to contact their primary care physician if possible. Other health providers such as urgent care centers or community clinics will have shorter waiting times compared to an emergency department where patients may wait for several hours or longer to be treated.”

January and February typically are the worst flu months, but the flu season can also drag into March. Although colds and flu seem to be more common in cold weather, the colder temperatures are not the culprit in making people sick. Many experts believe the increase is due to people spending more time indoors with others during the winter months, which increases the chance of spreading viruses.

This year, most of the flu cases seen in the U.S. have been due to a Type A virus called H3N2. This particularly virulent virus has been known to trigger more pneumonia and other complications than other forms of influenza. The 2010/2011 seasonal flu vaccine does offer triple protection — against last year’s “swine flu” (Type A H1N1), the prevalent H3N2 strain, and the Type B flu that tends to be less severe.

Influenza is caused by very contagious viruses which infect the nose, throat and lungs and cause symptoms such as fever, chills, dry cough, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, sore throat, headache and nasal congestion. A person can spread the flu as early as one day before he or she even feels sick, and can continue to pass the flu virus to others for five to seven days after symptoms start.

There is still an ample supply of this year’s flu vaccine available in the United States, but because it takes about two weeks for the vaccine’s protection to take effect, those interested in being vaccinated should do so right away. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccine for most everyone, except infants younger than 6 months and people with severe allergies to eggs.

Comments

3 Responses to “Area Flu Cases Increase”

  1. Doc on February 17th, 2011 5:17 pm

    Some young folks think they’re so much smarter than old timers! Do you know what all is in those flu shots? Sure they will help you fight off the flu now but what about the residue being left in your blood stream and body that you’ll pay a price for in life later! I think you’d be wise to study what’s in those shots… Mercury, Alum, etc! The quickest fix is not always the best in the long run!

  2. Horrific on February 14th, 2011 11:46 am

    I get the flu shot every year. The nice thing about it is you can get it
    so easily anytime at your local Walgreen. It’s just not that expensive
    and IF you DO get the FLU still after getting the shot the flu will be
    much lighter and shorter in duration.
    The other thing to do is carry paper towels and hydrogen peroxide.
    Wipe your hands with it all the time. That is how you get the flu
    in the majority of cases. You touch something and then touch your
    mouth.

    when I go to the store or out to eat, or just anywhere that I have to
    get out of the car and go in, I just don’t touch my mouth till I go to
    the car and wipe with peroxide. It’s cheap and you can get big
    bottles at any store very low priced. the dollar store has them for
    a dollar I believe, but I like much bigger bottles and I buy them
    from k-mart as that store is never busy and easy in and out.

    I also hope everyone got your electric blankets and are using them
    as my big house only cost $110.00 for heat last month.
    Turn your heat off at night when your in bed. Turn it off when you
    leave….EVERY SINGLE TIME.

  3. whitepunknotondope on February 14th, 2011 10:15 am

    And the majority of people afflicted did not get the flu shot.

    And the majority of those who did not get the flu shot either distrust the government, falsely believe vaccines cause autism or are just too damn stubborn to believe that anybody else can tell them what’s best for them.

    Enjoy your flu.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News