8 people hospitalized with influenza in a week as peak flu season reaches Washtenaw County
The Washtenaw County Public Health Department says lab-confirmed cases of influenza are increasing rapidly among local residents as peak flu season hits.
A total of eight people were hospitalized due to the flu during the week of Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, the department said. The highest rates of the flu are typically seen from late January to early February in the local area.
There's still time for a flu shot.
According to the health department, a mix of influenza A/H1N1 2009, A/H3N2 and influenza B isolates are being reported. Respiratory illness rates in area schools are also increasing.
Thus far, a total of 19 people have been hospitalized due to the flu, but no deaths have occurred, according to the health department.
Flu-related deaths typically range in the thousands annually due to complications like pneumonia. Bronchitis, ear infections and sinus infections are other examples of flu-related complications that can result in hospitalization. The flu makes chronic problems like asthma and heart failure worse.
The first local case of the flu was confirmed Dec. 15.
Health officials say a vaccination can still help people avoid illness or avoid serious illness. Flu vaccine is universally recommended this year for everyone 6 months and older.
Call 734-544-6700 to schedule an appointment or visit the health department's flu vaccine page.
Source: Washtenaw County Public Health Department
Comments
julieswhimsies
Mon, Feb 14, 2011 : 7:09 p.m.
@Craig The link between vaccines and autism has been dis-proven by scientists. I get the flu shot every year. I haven't had the flu since the vaccine was introduced. I did have the flu many years ago, and almost died. I was hospitalized for 6 weeks. I'll take my chances with the vaccine.
Edward Vielmetti
Sun, Feb 13, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.
@William refers to flu vaccines and narcolepsy; here's a statement from the World Health Organization on that topic <a href="http://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/topics/influenza/pandemic/h1n1_safety_assessing/narcolepsy_february2011/en/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/topics/influenza/pandemic/h1n1_safety_assessing/narcolepsy_february2011/en/</a> pointing specifically at Pandemrix, "an adjuvanted influenza (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline" (and not used in the United States). The Australia story is covered by The New Scientist (04 October 2010) <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19539-australia-blames-a-flu-vaccine-for-child-convulsions.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19539-australia-blames-a-flu-vaccine-for-child-convulsions.html</a> and The Guardian has good coverage of all aspects of flu in the UK <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/flu" rel='nofollow'>http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/flu</a>
DBH
Sun, Feb 13, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.
Effectiveness of a vaccine (including the influenza vaccine) can be defined in several ways. In general, according to the CDC, when the match between the anticipated strains of the influenza virus used to make the vaccine and the actual virus circulating in the population subsequently infected is good, effectiveness is on the order of 80-90%. For much more detail, see <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/effectivenessqa.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/effectivenessqa.htm</a>. Vaccination is one of the public health triumphs of modern medicine. Ask anyone old enough to remember cases of smallpox or polio, or anyone who has lost a unvaccinated friend or family member to an infectious disease for which there is a preventive vaccine available. Are there risks of vaccinations, including significant morbidities or mortalities? Of course, but the rates of complications pale in comparison to the risks of the infectious diseases themselves.
craig
Sun, Feb 13, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.
It would be important to know how many of the people among these flu cases has been vaccinated. I have read a number of studies that claim that the flu vaccines are very ineffective and there are also some possible side affects as well as some findings that point to a link with autism in children. I am suspect about vaccinations because of the power that the drug companies and the AMA wield in the area of sickness and disease. We might also find it helpful to research the levels of health and lifestyles of those who tend to get colds and flu often. This might allow those of us who are conscious about maintaining our health make good choices about when it is worth the risk to put foreign chemicals and non-food items in our bodies many with known and unknown consequences.
Wiliam
Sun, Feb 13, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
The term "universally" is being used rather loosely here. If you're talking about the U.S., then yes the CDC recommendation is for 6 months and older. If you're talking globally, there are countries now that are now saying anyone under 5 should not be receiving the flu vaccination. This is true of the UK based on a joint commission recommendation, and Austraila has halted their program due to a spike in convulsions after receiving the flu vaccine. Sweden and Findland are also reviewing their policies due to the increase in narcolepsy in young children after flu vaccine administration.