New Colo. Flu Deaths Spur Wider Worries

[truthisfreedom]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20031203/D7V76NBO0.html

New Colo. Flu Deaths Spur Wider Worries

Dec 3, 6:03 PM (ET)


DENVER (AP) - Two more Colorado children have died from the flu, raising the statewide total to at least five in an early outbreak that could be a sign of a severe flu season for the country, health officials said.

The number of confirmed flu cases in Colorado has grown to more than 6,300, health officials said Wednesday - just over than the number from the last two seasons combined. The flu season normally peaks in January and February and runs through April.

The latest victims were a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old from the Denver suburb of Thornton who died Sunday and Monday, state health officials said.

Hospitals and county coroners have reported six flu-related deaths, but state officials said they had only confirmed five and were investigating a sixth. All six were children, ranging from 21 months to 15 years old.
<snip>

Influenza researchers say this year they expect the death toll nationwide from flu-related complications to surpass the average of 36,000. The majority of flu deaths are among the elderly.

[artvark]

1. One child dead in Phx

Flu related

[xchrom]

2. the article

didn't say if this was the flu we received vaccinations for or the mutated strain.
i'm assuming it's the one predicted -- but does anyone know for certain?

[Liberalator]

3. CDC Flu Info

All the info you can possibly want about the flu:

National Immunization Program - 2003-2004 Flu Season

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/default.htm

National Summary Influenza Weekly Update

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/weekly.htm

CDC News Conference Transcript
Update on Current Influenza Season

http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/transcripts/t031117.htm

"...our early information from the evaluation of the strains involved in these problems suggest that a high proportion of flu this year is of a strain called H3N2. This is a type of influenza A. The strain that we're most concerned about right now is a strain that's slightly different from the strain that is in the vaccine. This is what is known as the "drift" strain.

This year's influenza vaccine for the northern hemisphere contains material that will protect against three strains of flu, H3N2 Panama, H1N1 New Caledonia, and Influenza B Hong Kong.

The strain that we're most concerned about, that is a drift version of H3N2 is called the Fujian strain. It's very similar, it's just drifted a little bit from the Panama strain, and our animal studies suggest that the vaccine will provide cross-protection against this strain. In the past this has happened. It's a very common thing. As flu strains gradually evolve in people, we don't always have exactly have the same strain as a vaccine that is circulating in the community and our experience so far, historically, has been that whatever the drift is, that the vaccine will still provide some cross-protection.

So we're optimistic that would be the case this year but of course we'll be watching that very carefully and we'll know more as the flu season evolves.

The point is that people need to get their flu shot. This is the time for Americans to really step up to the plate and get vaccinated against influenza, especially because this could be a worse-than-usual flu season and especially because we have this particular strain circulating and in some previous situations H3N2 strains have been associated with perhaps more severe disease. "

Week 46 - Week Ending November 15


Week 47 - Week Ending November 22


Should You Get the First Flu Shot Available?
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/high_priority.htm

At a glance: Almost everyone can benefit from a flu shot. But some people have a greater need to be protected, and they should make a special effort to get this protection each year, early in the flu season (October or November). Check the high-priority groups described on this page, and find out if you are one of these people.

High risk of severe illness

Adults 65 years old or older. Even if you are in excellent health, you have a greater risk of complications if you get the flu. To keep your good health, get your shot in November or December!
Children 6-23 months old. Young children are among the most likely to be hospitalized for influenza. Even if your child is in excellent health, be sure to get this protection to keep the good health!
Adults and children with chronic (on-going) health problems, including:
asthma or other on-going lung problems
kidney disease
heart disease
diabetes

Adults and children with an illness (such as HIV/AIDS) or who are taking medical treatment (such as chemotherapy) that can lower the immune system.
Children and teenagers between 6 months and 18 years old who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy have a risk of getting Reye syndrome if they get the flu; they should also get a flu shot early in the flu season.
Women who will be at least 3 months pregnant during the flu season need an early flu shot.


Can give flu to those at high risk

Contacts for those at high risk. Adults and children who are household contacts or care-givers for others at high risk of severe illness from flu should get flu shots as soon as possible, to protect those they are caring for.

Healthcare workers. Your daily exposure to sick people makes you far more likely to get (and give) the flu. Remember, your patients depend on you to stay healthy so you can help them stay healthy.

Household contacts or care-givers for children under 2 years old. Infants younger than 6 months old cannot take a flu shot, but they can get the flu. This illness can be dangerous for a very young child. Their best protection is non-exposure; if those around them do not get the flu, they cannot give it to the children they are caring for.

Anyone who lives in a nursing home or chronic-care facility for people (of any age) with chronic medical conditions should also be one of the first to get a flu shot.

Your child's very first flu shot

Children 6 months-8 years old who are getting their first flu shot ever need a booster shot one month after the first dose of vaccine. For best protection, be sure your child gets the first shot as early as possible; the first dose should be administered in October.

People 50-64 years old, a special group

Based on your age alone, you are not at high risk of flu-related complications yet. However, approximately 10-13 million adults (24%-32%) in your age group have one or more high-risk medical conditions. Even if you are in excellent health, you should be sure to get a flu shot in to avoid missing work because of the flu and to prevent additional medical visits and medication. The flu shot is among the preventative measures people over 50 need to take to stay healthy.

[RedEarth]

6. Liberalator....thanks for the information....

Very helpful....thanks again!

[Dogmudgeon]

4. Gettin' Scary

There's also some new H7N7 influenzae which have had localized outbreaks mainly in Asia, but there was also one in Holland. These are novel genetic variants and appear to be highly contageous and have high morbidity and mortality rates.

My 90-year-old Grandmother recently informed me that she won't get vaccinated because it "causes the flu". Or so say all her medically-illiterate friends. I'm trying to get her doctor to prescribe Tamiflu or Symmetrel just in case it hits.

--bkl

[MissMarple]

9. The vaccine today is made with a dead virus. It won't cause the flu.

The most she will get is a sore arm. Giving shots is something of an art. Visiting Nurse Association nurses have often given lots of shots, so they are a good bet for a less painful one. I think you can get a pneumonia vaccine as well, and she should think about that.

Good luck.

[Cheswick2.0]

5. Are there places to get the shot if you have no insurance?

sounds like a dumb question, but I have only recently joined the ranks of the uninsured. I have cronic asthma and already had a 2 month cough which is still flaring up due to allergies when I am around perfume etc... I never get flu shots but this year I feel like I should.

[RedEarth]

7. Your county health department should have information ....

on where to get the flu shot if you don't have insurance. Normally, the shot only costs 15-20 dollars, so even if you don't have insurance it would still be worth it. A flu shot for $15 might avoid several thousand in hospital costs.

[Divernan]

8. Check with Allegheny Cty. Health Dept./Giant Eagle offered shots last year

Assuming you're from Cheswick or thereabouts.

[Liberalator]

11. List of Flu Vaccine Locations - Links

Looking for flu shot locations?

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/Public.htm#locate

The National Immunization Program doesn’t maintain a national list of flu vaccine clinics. To find a flu vaccine clinic near you,

Visit the American Lung Association web site (www.lungusa.org) (exit NIP site) and try their online flu shot locator.
http://www.findaflushot.com/lungusa/

Visit Maxim Health System's Find a Flu Shot Clinic page. (exit NIP site; find clinics sponsored by Maxin Health System)
http://www.findaflushot.com/findaflushot.cfm

Check with your local or state health department.
http://www.cdc.gov/other.htm#states

Watch for clinics advertised at community centers, churches, office parks, shopping malls, etc.

[htuttle]

10. 36,000+ US dead expected, most of them elderly and poor

The 36,000 US citizens dead each year from the flu is an average number. I remember this from last year, and the year before.

Ten times as many Americans die from the flu each year than died on 9/11.

Yet, still no national health care plan, when a FRACTION of the money spent to 'avenge' the 3,000 who died on 9/11 would pay for it.

The difference? Very few of the people who will die of the flu are rich or famous.

How would we feel about a headline like:

Terror attack kills 36,000 children and elderly

?