According to the CDC.. statistics for influenza 2008 to May 2009:

During week 19 (May 10 - 16, 2009),
influenza activity decreased in the United States, however there are still higher levels of influenza-like illness than is normal for this time of year.
One thousand seventy-four (15.1%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.
The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was below the epidemic threshold.
Two influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported.
The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was below the national baseline. One of the ten surveillance regions reported ILI above their region-specific baseline.
Five states reported geographically widespread influenza activity, 13 states reported regional activity, the District of Columbia and 15 states reported local influenza activity; 16 states reported sporadic influenza activity, and one state reported no influenza activity.

from the CDC

Seasonal Influenza

What is influenza (flu)?

Influenza, commonly called "the flu," is caused by the influenza virus, which infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs). Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu causes severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Influenza is a respiratory illness. Symptoms of flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Children can have additional gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but these symptoms are uncommon in adults. Although the term "stomach flu" is sometimes used to describe vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea, these illnesses are caused by certain other viruses, bacteria, or possibly parasites, and are rarely related to influenza.

When is the flu season in the United States?

In the United States, the peak of flu season can occur anywhere from late December through March. The overall health impact (e.g., infections, hospitalizations, and deaths) of a flu season varies from year to year. CDC monitors circulating flu viruses and their related disease activity and provides influenza reports each week from October through May.

How does the flu spread?

The main way that influenza viruses are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. (This is called "droplet spread.") This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled (generally up to 3 feet) through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Though much less frequent, the viruses also can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their hands.

Does the flu have complications?

Yes. Some of the complications caused by flu include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections as complications from the flu. Those aged 65 years and older and persons of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease) are at highest risk for serious complications of flu.

How do I find out if I have the flu?

It is very difficult to distinguish the flu from other viral or bacterial causes of respiratory illnesses on the basis of symptoms alone. A test can confirm that an illness is influenza if the patient is tested within the first two to three days after symptoms begin. In addition, a doctor's examination may be needed to determine whether a person has another infection that is a complication of influenza.

How soon will I get sick if I am exposed to the flu?

The time from when a person is exposed to flu virus to when symptoms begin is about one to four days, with an average of about two days.

How long is a person with flu virus contagious?

The period when an infected person is contagious depends on the age and health of the person. Studies show that most healthy adults may be able to infect others from 1 day prior to becoming sick and for 5 days after they first develop symptoms. Some young children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for longer than a week.

Is the “stomach flu” really the flu?

No. Many people use the term "stomach flu" to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria or even parasites. While vomiting, diarrhea, and being nauseous or "sick to your stomach" can sometimes be related to the flu – more commonly in children than adults – these problems are rarely the main symptoms of influenza. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.

FLU VACCINE

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.

There are two types of vaccines:

• The "flu shot"—an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.

• The nasal-spray flu vaccine—a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy people 2-49 years of age* who are not pregnant.

Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.

About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.

When to Get Vaccinated

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

Who Should Get Vaccinated

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by ACIP that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, ACIP makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.

People who should get vaccinated each year are:

1. People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:
   • Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday,
   • Pregnant women,
   • People 50 years of age and older, and
   • People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;
   • People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
     
     
2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
   • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
   • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
   • Healthcare workers.

Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine

It should be noted that vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is always an option for healthy persons aged 2-49 years who are not pregnant.

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated

There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These include

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
• People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• Influenza vaccine is not approved for use in children less than 6 months of age.
• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

Vaccine Effectiveness

The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. Testing has shown that both the flu shot and the nasal-spray vaccine are effective at preventing the flu.

Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)

Different side effects can be associated with the flu shot and LAIV.

The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are

• Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• Fever (low grade)
• Aches

If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. As of July 1, 2005, people who think that they have been injured by the flu shot can file a claim for compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

LAIV (FluMist®): The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. (In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely.)

In children, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include

• runny nose
• wheezing
• headache
• vomiting
• muscle aches
• fever

In adults, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include

• runny nose
• headache
• sore throat
• cough

*On September 19, 2007 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved use of the nasal influenza vaccine LAIV (FluMist®) for healthy children ages 2-4 years old (24-59 months old) without a history of recurrent wheezing, as well as for healthy persons ages 5-49 years who are not pregnant. Previously, approval was for healthy persons ages 5-49 years who are not pregnant.

NOROVIRUS

Norovirus is also known as 'stomach flu', but is not influenza. The norovirus is rampant here where we live and has caused at least one unit of the local hospital to cease admissions until proper sanitation could be applied.

It can affect anyone and there is no vaccine or immunization available.

Symptoms are the acute and severe onset of vomiting and non-bloody diarrhea. One is contagious from the onset of symptoms to three days after symptoms subside, but sometimes up to 2 weeks. If you handle food, you shouldn't do so for 3 days after you recover from the bug.

What can be done? Wash your hands frequently.. and foods.. fruits and veggies.
Use household bleach to clean surfaces that might have been contaminated. Also, bed linens need to be washed in hot soapy water and dried in a dryer.

Norovirus causes loss of fluids from the body and electrolytes. Dehydration can be a real problem. Replace fluids orally as soon as you are able.

Stay healthy!

Take 2 Tylenols & call me in the morning

As a nurse, I like to educate. Influenza is in mid season.. Here's some information for you all..

Influenza, or flu, is a highly contagious acute infection of the respiratory tract, and is very common during the winter.
It usually appears as an epidemic and naturally school children are hit in the highest numbers. At risk are the very young, the elderly, those who are immunosuppressed and those who have chronic diseases.

Influenza is caused by a virus which mutates with lightning speed, or so it would seem. It is spread by droplet by inhalation, or by indirect contact.. eating or drinking from an infected person's glass.

Weakness, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, fever of 101-102, sneezing or runny nose are the symptoms. Most people recover from the flu, but those who are at risk tend to develop complications- like pneumonia.

What do you do if you develop influenza?

• bedrest- you won't want to be up and running anyway- your body heals as you sleep, so you might as well
• Drink extra fluids -the CDC suggests 1 full glass of water or juice every hour
• Tylenol (acetaminophen) for the aching and pain. No aspirin for children

At what point should you call the doctor?

• after 3 days of fever of 102
• if you develop heavy mucus and have difficulty breathing
• relapse after good improvement

How can it be prevented?

• Wash your hands frequently and teach children to follow your example
• Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing- use tissues- and dispose of them properly
• Flu shot- you have to be immunized a week to 4 months before exposure for the shots to be effective. They are inactivated viruses (dead) from several strains of the most prevalent mutated viruses. The shots are about 67-92% effective. These vaccines are developed from eggs, so if you are allergic to eggs, you should talk to your doctor before receiving the immunization. In rare cases, neurologic disorders can develop from the vaccine.
  
• Flu-Mist is another vaccine given during flu season. It is a live virus sprayed into the nose. Not recommended for those in the risk groups or pregnant women.
• If you know your resistance is down, stay away from shopping malls,theaters or crowded places during the epidemic. Keep your distance from people who are sneezing and coughing.
• There are anti-flu medications you can take if you can be diagnosed within the first 24-48 hours. Amantadine and Rimantadine are two of these. Relenza is an inhaled powder and Tamiflu, an oral med, are used to lessen the symptoms of influenza. Don't use the Relenza if you have lung problems.

As the Boy Scout motto says "Be Prepared" if there is an epidemic in your area.

• Keep a week's supply of canned meats, veggies, and fruits on hand
  
• Dry cereals or granola
• Peanut butter or nuts
• Crackers
• Fruit juices
• Bottled water
• Canned soups
• Extra prescription supplies- don't drop below a week's supply
• Soap and alcohol based hand wash
• Meds for fever- Tylenol or ibuprofen
• Thermometer
• Anti-diarrheal meds
• Fluids with electrolytes
• Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers
• Garbage/waste bags

Stay healthy !!!