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The Flu hits California 2013-2014

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Medclinician2013 View Drop Down
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    Posted: December 31 2013 at 8:35am
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/27/6031387/new-version-of-2009-pandemic-flu.html

Just days after a Christmas Eve federal health advisory, Sacramento County’s top public health official warned Friday of a sudden increase in local influenza activity, possibly led by a strong resurgence of a version of the virus behind the 2009 worldwide flu pandemic.

Olivia Kasirye, the county’s public health officer, said the viral strain known as influenza A pH1N1 is atypical because it tends to hit young people and healthy adults the hardest. In 2009, the H1N1 virus caused more illness in children and young adults, compared to older adults.

“From last week to the current one, we saw a significant increase in the percentage of positive flu tests, from 6 percent to 20 percent,” Kasirye said. “Young people and healthy middle-aged people are some of the cases we have right now. Being otherwise healthy is a risk factor for this virus.”


comment: The flu infection in California increased 14 percent and more than doubled in a week.

Readers and posters please recheck this data.

Among 1,071 known influenza cases between Oct. 1 and Dec. 21, the CDC reported, 92.6 percent were influenza A, and 97.7 percent of those were subcategory 2009 pH1N1.

If pH1N1 virus continues to circulate widely,” the CDC warned, “illness that disproportionately affects young and middle-aged adults may occur.”



Medclinician - not if but when - original
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pixie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 31 2013 at 11:40am
http://www.kerngoldenempire.com/story/twelve-people-hospitalized-with-influenza/d/story/0bzRjXDJqU-EC2J_YFv4bA


Twelve people hospitalized with influenza
 
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12/30/2013 08:40 PM12/30/2013 08:57 PM

KERN COUNTY, CA -- A dozen people were admitted to Bakersfield hospitals over the weekend with influenza. Eight of them are in intensive care. 

"When we left the office on Friday we had received a report through the reporting system of three persons who had been hospitalized with the influenza," said Dr. Claudia Jonah with the Kern County Health Department.

"By Sunday we have a total of 12 hospitalized with influenza. More than half of those have been in intensive care unit and many of them had to be put on ventilators." 

San Joaquin Community Hospital and Kern Medical Center said the cases are severe and patients are not showing typical flu symptoms.

"One of the stories was that the person was just having dizziness, but it turned out to be influenza and they're in the hospital," said Jonah.

The patients range in age from 30 to 68. One patient has the H1N1 Virus, but eight others have Influenza A, which has a vaccine. 

Doreen Tracy received her first flu shot last month and is happy she got it when she did.

"I got the flu shot, because I'm an elderly person and everybody told me to go," said Tracy.

"It's free for me. I feel pretty good and I haven't got the flu since."

The Health Department is urging people to take precautions to avoid becoming infected or infecting others. 

"This is a big concern," said Jonah.

"These persons that are getting severe infections, are getting severely ill very quickly." 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 31 2013 at 3:04pm
Anyone know if these people who are so very ill did they have the flu shot this year?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hachiban08 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 01 2014 at 10:07pm
Just one of the 12 did, FluMom

Flu cases on the rise in Kern, 12 hospitalized



http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/health/Flu-cases-on-the-rise-in-Kern-12-hospitalized---238399291.html

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) -- Public health officials in Kern County are warning of a serious spike in flu cases.

As of  Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, 12 people were hospitalized locally and the Centers for Disease Control reported widespread flu activity in 10 states. Kern County Public Health Officer Dr. Claudia Jonah said it's a great concern when in the span of two days you have 12 people going into the hospital, eight in the Intensive Care Unit, because of influenza.

Only one of the people in the 12 cases had been vaccinated.

The season locally runs through May. Vaccines are readily available at pharmacies, doctors offices and through the health department. "If you received a flu vaccine in recent months you are protected for this season," said Dr. Jonah.


Be prepared! It may be time....^_^v
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jacksdad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 01 2014 at 10:21pm
The flu shot definitely seems to be a big factor this year.
"Buy it cheap. Stack it deep"
"Any community that fails to prepare, with the expectation that the federal government will come to the rescue, will be tragically wrong." Michael Leavitt, HHS Secretary.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Satori Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 01 2014 at 11:04pm


Cases of flu sweeping across US; 170 hospitalized in Utah


http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=28192262


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""Nearly 10 percent of our adult cases were vaccinated prior to being hospitalized. Nearly half of our pediatric patients were vaccinated prior to being hospitalized," said Utah Department of Health representative, David Jackson."




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nc_girl Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 02 2014 at 9:08am
just saw on the noon news that NC's flu deaths have risen from 8 last week to 13 as of today.  That's 5 deaths in the past few days.  They are also saying the illness is worst for ppl between ages of 20 & 40.  I don't get why ppl are still pushing the vaccine when those getting sick & dying have a population of ppl who DID take the flu shot this year.  Given that the % of the population who gets the shot is smaller than those who do, wouldn't this be expected to see both groups getting sick if the vaccine isn't working because the flu has changed?

Just sayin...

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hachiban08 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 03 2014 at 2:04pm

First flu death of season reported in Sacramento County

http://www.news10.net/news/article/267633/2/First-flu-death-of-season-reported-in-Sacramento-Co


SACRAMENTO - On Friday, Sacramento County announced the first influenza death this season.

A 61-year-old woman died of complications from the virus, said county spokesperson Laura McCasland. The woman had been hospitalized; one of 10 patients to be admitted to hospital ICUs with the flu in recent weeks.

McCasland said three strains of influenza are showing up the county: H1N1 "swine", Influenza A and Influenza B.

The flu virus can come on suddenly. Symptoms may include feeling achy, having a fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat and nasal congestion. The symptoms can last two to seven days.

The good news is the available flu vaccine protects against all three and it's not too late to get inoculated.

Where you can get a flu vaccination 

It takes about two weeks to become fully protected from the flu strains.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health recommend flu vaccinations for those 6 months old and older, including pregnant women. Young adults can get the H1N1 strain and should be inoculated too.

Be prepared! It may be time....^_^v
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hachiban08 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 03 2014 at 2:07pm

Flu virus kills 28-year-old Orange County woman

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/orange_county&id=9379793


SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A 28-year-old woman died from influenza A (pH1N1)-related disease last week in Orange County, the first flu-related death reported in the county of a person younger than 65 this season.

The influenza A (pH1N1) strain has been circulating since the 2009 pandemic, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Reports of influenza disease have increased recently in Orange County. The majority of those reported cases have been influenza A, and most of those are due to the pH1N1 strain, according to the agency.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued an alert about reports from several states of young and middle-age adults becoming ill due to the pH1N1 virus.

Public health officials urge the public to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccination for anyone 6 months and older.

People at higher risk for severe influenza illness include people with chronic medical conditions, young children, pregnant women and obese persons.

In addition to getting vaccinated, the Orange County Health Care Agency recommends small actions that will help reduce the spread of flu and other illnesses:

  • Stay home if you are sick
  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Vaccinations are widely available from private physicians, pharmacies and other retail businesses in the community. Information about these locations and dates is available at findaflushot.com. Free vaccinations are also available to eligible individuals through the Orange County Health Care Agency. Call the HCA Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448 or visit ochealthinfo.com/flu or the Centers for Disease Control website cdc.gov/flu for more information.

Be prepared! It may be time....^_^v
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