22 Dead from Flu in Pa. - Did You Get Your Flu Shot?
Statistics released Tuesday from the state Department of Health show flu cases continue to rise locally and across Pennsylvania.
The number of flu cases in the Delaware Valley and throughout Pennsylvania spiked in early January as health officials continue to deal with one of the worst flu outbreaks in years.
The state reported this week that there were 18 more influenza-related deaths, bringing to 22 the total number of flu-related deaths this season. The state Health Department website did not indicate the counties where the deaths occurred.
Most of the reported deaths were among those 65 and older, but two of the people who died were "otherwise healthy" people under age 50, the state health officials said. No pediatric flu-related deaths have been reported.
The state Department of Health reports the number of confirmed cases from Oct 2 to Jan. 5:
- Chester County: 216
- Delaware County: 254
- Montgomery County: 559
- Philadelphia: 328
In Pennsylvania, the number of confirmed flu cases jumped to 11,327 since Oct. 2, up from a total of 7,181 cases the previous week. Flu cases have now been reported in all the state's 67 counties.
The flu does not peak until mid-January or February, so it is not too late to get a flu shot. To find a place near you to get a flu shot, type your zip code into the Flu Finder site.
Influenza—more commonly known as simply "the flu"—is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs. It spreads via infected people coughing, sneezing or talking, though people can also get infected by touching something with the flu virus on it before touching their mouth, eyes or nose.
Symptoms of the flu include muscle or body aches, headache, cough, sore throat, fatigue, fever or chills, and vomiting and diarrhea (the latter two are more common in kids). The flu can also worsen chronic medical conditions or cause death.
State health officials say lab-confirmed flu cases represent only a fraction of those with the flu, since most people with the flu -- including those who seek health care -- are diagnosed on the presumption they have the flu without lab tests performed.
Joanna Merriam
1:36 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
I'm glad that you are running this piece, especially after the one last week that advocated skipping the flu shot. I hope no one took her advice since vaccines protect not the individual, but also those around them.
Karin Fox
2:55 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
Joanna, can you please help me locate the piece last week that advocated skipping the flu shot? Thank you.
Assaggiatore
3:32 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
The 1976 swine flu vaccine caused more fatal allergic reactions than the actual flu killed.
Joanna Merriam
1:37 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
As an edit to my previous comment, I meant to say " not just the individual"
Joanna Merriam
3:33 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
Karin - It was in the radnor patch, the title was "Skip the shot - fight the flu naturally"
It was written by Danielle Gray, a chiropracter. I'm an MD and while rest and a healthy a diet are important for your health, they will not do the job of a flu shot in helping to prevent the flu!
Catherine
5:34 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
Dr Merriam, I'm so glad you made your comment. The point of view of a medical doctor -- a scientist trained in disease -- carries more weight than that of a chiropractor, in my opinion. The advice given in that column was irresponsible, I think, considering that the CDC recommends the flu vaccine for nearly anyone over the age of six months. A number of states REQUIRE health care workers to get one (except for religious and medical reasons); many have been fired if they won't. This was very interesting to me: the latest US data shows that, so far this year, 88% of pharmacists and 84% of doctors have been vaccinated against the flu.
MarpleResident
7:17 am on Monday, January 14, 2013
Last week, PHL17 reported that over 60 Philadelphia residents died from flu to date. Which number is it? Lehigh Valley Hospital put up a FEMA tent at Lehigh Valley Hospital. Drove by it, no patients were in it. If hospitals are packed and everyone is sick and dying from flu where are the patients?
State controlled Media is reading "pandemic" and " epidemic" off their scripts without knowing what they mean and scaring people into paying for an outdated flu shot. This years flu shot is from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic strain, influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B strains. It does not cover the strains that is going around now. 3/4 of the people will still get the flu. Doctors refuse to answer the question about a 2009 vaccination for a 2013 strain of flu. It is like they are on some type of commission. All they can say is "get a flu shot".
Last week, CBS nd NBC reported that the flu is so bad America went through the entire "Nation stockpile of Tamiflu". No more Tamiflu available. Doctors wont give you Tamiflu anymore. US government can't get anymore. What? Serious? Every other countries have piles and piles of the stuff? Use Obama buck to buy more.
People get sick every year from cold/flu. This is just hype to get you to spend money on something that won't help you. Also, Obama's administration is already making ridiculous lies up about how flu is responsible for the failing economy and poor economic growth.
Robert
9:41 am on Monday, January 14, 2013
Wow, you are taking a medical article and making it political. You better keep that tin foil hat on tight, the men in black can read your thoughts.
1
3:49 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
"3/4 of the people will still get the flu" - Really? You just pull that out of your a$$ or what? As for Tamiflu, I know someone who got it form their GP a few weeks ago. Hell, there are TV and radio ads for it so clearly there is plenty to go around.
Forget the flu shot, you need to get on some psych meds ASAP!
Liz Munson Mitchell
12:54 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
I agree with you totally MarpleResident. It is all hype and the statistics are always
way off.