Health
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, announced on Tuesday that flu activity in California is widespread and at levels usually seen at the peak of the influenza season. Health officials encourage Californians to get vaccinated.
“With the increase in influenza impacting many communities across the entire state, it is important to get a flu shot now if you have not done so already,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “Although influenza season usually peaks between December and February, flu activity can occur as late as May, which means it is not too late to get vaccinated.”
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to respond fully. Vaccine effectiveness does vary for the different strains and year by year.
Data will be available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February about vaccine effectiveness.
“Vaccination will prevent infection in a large number of cases. If disease does occur after vaccination, the vaccine can reduce the severity of flu symptoms,” said Dr. Smith. "Getting the flu shot is still the best way to protect yourself and others from flu.”
Some people are at high risk for serious flu-related complications that can lead to hospitalization and even death including:
– Pregnant women.
– Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old.
– People 65 years of age and older.
– People who have certain medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.
For those at high risk of serious flu complications, getting vaccinated is especially important. It is also important for caregivers of anyone at high risk including children younger than 6 months, who are too young to get a flu vaccine.
Individuals in a high-risk group that experience symptoms of flu (fever, chills and feeling very tired accompanied by sore throat, muscle or body aches, headaches, or nasal congestion), should contact their health care provider early in the illness.
Antiviral drugs can be prescribed by a physician, and work best if started within two days of getting sick.
Individuals who are not in high risk groups and who have mild illness typically do not need medical care or antiviral drugs.
These individuals should stay home and avoid contact with other people.
Anyone who experiences more severe symptoms such as trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, difficulty eating or drinking, or confusion should contact their health care provider or seek emergency care.
To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, you should also:
– Stay home while sick and limit contact with others.
– Cover your cough or sneeze with your sleeve or disposable tissue.
– Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Flu vaccine is available in many locations, including doctors’ offices, health departments, pharmacies, health centers and travel clinics, as well as at many employers and schools.
For information on the flu vaccine in Lake County, call Lake County Public Health at 707-263-1090.
“With the increase in influenza impacting many communities across the entire state, it is important to get a flu shot now if you have not done so already,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “Although influenza season usually peaks between December and February, flu activity can occur as late as May, which means it is not too late to get vaccinated.”
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to respond fully. Vaccine effectiveness does vary for the different strains and year by year.
Data will be available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February about vaccine effectiveness.
“Vaccination will prevent infection in a large number of cases. If disease does occur after vaccination, the vaccine can reduce the severity of flu symptoms,” said Dr. Smith. "Getting the flu shot is still the best way to protect yourself and others from flu.”
Some people are at high risk for serious flu-related complications that can lead to hospitalization and even death including:
– Pregnant women.
– Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old.
– People 65 years of age and older.
– People who have certain medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.
For those at high risk of serious flu complications, getting vaccinated is especially important. It is also important for caregivers of anyone at high risk including children younger than 6 months, who are too young to get a flu vaccine.
Individuals in a high-risk group that experience symptoms of flu (fever, chills and feeling very tired accompanied by sore throat, muscle or body aches, headaches, or nasal congestion), should contact their health care provider early in the illness.
Antiviral drugs can be prescribed by a physician, and work best if started within two days of getting sick.
Individuals who are not in high risk groups and who have mild illness typically do not need medical care or antiviral drugs.
These individuals should stay home and avoid contact with other people.
Anyone who experiences more severe symptoms such as trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, difficulty eating or drinking, or confusion should contact their health care provider or seek emergency care.
To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, you should also:
– Stay home while sick and limit contact with others.
– Cover your cough or sneeze with your sleeve or disposable tissue.
– Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Flu vaccine is available in many locations, including doctors’ offices, health departments, pharmacies, health centers and travel clinics, as well as at many employers and schools.
For information on the flu vaccine in Lake County, call Lake County Public Health at 707-263-1090.
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- Written by: Editor
WILLITS, Calif. – Did you happen to take home the flu with you after all the holiday parties? You’re not alone.
As expected, the recent holiday season has increased the number of flu cases nationwide. To date, 36 states have reported widespread flu activity and 12 children nationwide have died since Oct. 1, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
In California, 10 people under age 65 have died from influenza-related illness statewide. Typically, only one or two deaths, and sometimes none at all, have been reported in the same time frame.
In response to this and to protect its patients and the community, Adventist Health Howard Memorial, AHHM, has implemented temporary visitor restrictions and is asking young or sick visitors to stay away from the hospital unless necessary.
Effective Thursday, Jan. 4, Howard Memorial is asking the public to voluntarily limit hospital visits.
"This is a precautionary measure to protect patients, visitors and staff from spreading the flu and other upper respiratory illnesses," said Daria Fletcher, infection prevention specialist at AHHM.
Fletcher said imposing flu restrictions are just one of the many steps the hospital is taking to protect the hospital’s patients and the public.
For those who are visiting the hospital while the flu visitation restrictions are in effect, AHHM is requesting that:
– Visitors must check in at the main lobby front desk or nurse’s station and will be asked about flu-like symptoms before they are allowed to visit.
– Visitors should be at least 13 years and older to minimize patient exposure to children who are at higher risk for transmission of viral infections and to protect children from getting sick. Exceptions may be made for dire situations.
– Pregnant women are encouraged not to visit patients with the flu since pregnancy is a risk factor for flu complications. Exceptions may be made in dire situations.
– Individuals who aren't feeling well with symptoms such as fever and cough are advised not visit hospitalized patients. If they have these symptoms but need to use the hospital’s services, they will be asked to wear a mask.
– All hospital visitors should wash their hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel when entering and leaving a patient room.
– Everyone should cough or sneeze into their arm, shoulder or tissue to reduce the spread of germs.
Flu cases usually peak from December through February and may continue into May, according to public health officials. Given this, these safety measures at AHHM will be in effect until further notice.
Of particular concern are those who are more susceptible to complications relating to the flu such as the elderly, pregnant women, those who have chronic health conditions and children under six months who are unable to receive the vaccine.
As for the flu shot, Fletcher said it’s not too late to get vaccinated. “While the vaccine is not as effective for the particular of strain we are seeing this year, getting vaccinated still reduces the severity and chance of complications from the flu. Having the vaccine is still much better, than no protection at all.”
Flu symptoms to look out for include fever and chills, muscle or body aches, as well as a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and fatigue. Colds, on the other hand, are usually milder than flu symptoms, and come with a runny or stuffy nose without a fever.
Those sick from the virus are advised to stay home until they’re free of symptoms for 24 hours.
“We’ve had a record month and our beds are full but the staff has done a great job of making sure everyone gets the exceptional care we’re known for. Our patients come to us when they are most vulnerable and exposing them to the flu does not help their health outcome. We want to make sure we do everything we can to protect our patients and the community,” said Jason Wells, president and CEO at AHHM.
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- Written by: Editor
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