Wednesday, January 30, 2013
A new norovirus strain was detected last year in Australia and has reached the United States.
- NEWS
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Wednesday, January 30
Although the flu is on everyone’s minds this season, the winter vomiting bug, or the norovirus, is making its rounds. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the norovirus causes about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths each year, mostly in young children and the elderly. Some of the virus' common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. The CDC points out that the norovirus is often referred to as the stomach flu, but it is unrelated to influenza. Many people in the area have been reporting the symptoms associated with norovirus, especially families with children. A new norovirus strain, GII.4 Sydney, was detected last year in Australia. The strain hit the U.K. and sickened over a …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Does a flu shot cause the flu? Do healthy people need a shot? Here are the answers to some myths
- OPINION
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Wednesday, January 23
The flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family. However, misconceptions about vaccination persist. Here are seven common myths about vaccination: Flu Myth #1 A Flu Shot Causes the Flu No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get flu shots and others get salt-water shots, the only differences in symptoms was increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
CDC reports flu is widespread and continuing to increase.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the flu is now widespread and the number of cases are continuing to increase. “Reports of influenza-like-illness (ILI) are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons,” according to Dr. Joe Bresee. Breese advises it is not too late to get a flu shot. “Anyone who has not already been vaccinated should do so now,” Bresee said in a released statement. “And it’s important to remember that people who have severe influenza illness, or who are at high risk of serious influenza-related complications, should get treated with influenza antiviral medications if they get flu symptoms regardless of whether or not they got vaccinated. Also, you don’t need to wait for a …
Monday, January 14, 2013
The influenza virus is hitting hard this year and cases are at an all time high. Find out hot to stay healthy.
The New Year is off to a rough start as the flu virus continues to spread its way across the United States. In Illinois—Downers Grove included—as in most parts of the country, flu cases are at an all time high. The American Lung Association is strongly recommending people protect themselves, making sure to get a flu vaccine and taking preventative actions to stop the spread of germs. It is also recommending that those who get severely ill, particularly those who are part of high-risk groups, promptly seek antiviral treatments. “We can’t emphasize enough how important it is and how easy it is to provide your family with as much protection as possible by getting vaccinated against the flu,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the …
Friday, January 4, 2013
Illinois is considered to be experiencing one of the greatest flu outbreaks in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Flu season has peaked early at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, where physicians have not treated so many seriously ill flu patients since the Swine Flu epidemic in 2009. Illinois is considered to be experiencing one of the greatest flu outbreaks in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health. At Good Samaritan, this has resulted in more patients visiting the emergency room and being admitted for treatment, according to hospital officials. “There’s a lot of flu out there,” said Dr. David Beezhold, an infectious disease specialist on staff at Good Samaritan Hospital. “But there’s no need to panic. If you’re otherwise healthy, you’re likely to have a …
DHD
10:47 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Please if you are sick stay home from work, school, church etc.!!!!!!! more ›