Flu Prompts IU Health to Limit Visitors

Posted on Author WKVI

 

 
 

IU Health is implementing “precautionary measures of visitor restrictions” until further notice to protect patients, families and hospital staff from potential exposure to the flu virus. That means only healthy adults ages 18 and older may visit patients. This includes parents, spouses, significant others and spiritual counselors, but exceptions can be made in special circumstances. A “healthy” adult is one who is not experiencing any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, tiredness, body aches, diarrhea or vomiting; and someone who has not been exposed to the flu virus in the past week. Visitors are also reminded to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer often. Continue reading →

Four Suspected Dead in St. Joe County From H1N1; Get Vaccines Now

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Health officials in St. Joseph County suspect four people have died from the H1N1 flu virus, and with the peak of the flu season approaching in February, it is becoming increasingly important to get those vaccinations. Frank Lynch, health nurse in Starke County, said it’s never too late to get the flu vaccine and more people have been getting vaccinated this year.

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Flu Season Approaching; Get Vaccinated Soon

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Flu season isn’t quite here yet but it is right around the corner, and even now, the flu is always present and everyone is encouraged to get their flu shots. Lynch said everyone should get vaccinated, especially the elderly residents, pregnant women or anyone with health problems that are severely affected by the flu.

“Unless you have an egg allergy or anything of that nature – if there’s some medical reason as to why your doctor recommends that you do not get a flu shot – but otherwise, CDC recommends that everyone six months of age and older get a flu vaccination,” said Lynch.

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Flu Claims 70th Victim This Season

Posted on Author WKVI

The flu continues to wreak havoc in the state. Two flu-related deaths have been reported this week by the Indiana State Department of Health, bringing the total number of deaths and illnesses caused by the flu to 70.

The majority of those deaths have occurred in individuals with underlying medical conditions such as cancer, COPD, diabetes, and cardiac and renal diseases.

Health officials encourage you to wash your hands frequently, cover your cough and sneeze with your arm or disposable tissue and stay home from work or school when you are sick to keep your germs from spreading.

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Flu Vaccine Less Effective Than Expected

Posted on Author WKVI

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that this season’s flu vaccine is less effective than previously reported, State Health Commissioner William VanNess maintains it’s the best defense for preventing the flu.

The CDC found that the vaccine is 56 percent effective for children and adults up to age 64 and only 9 percent effective for adults 65 and older. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies by season. In the past, the CDC has measured significant benefits of getting the flu vaccine among people 65 and older in terms of preventing infection.

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Number of Flu Deaths Holds at 43

Posted on Author WKVI

The Indiana State Department of Health indicated that the number of deaths from the flu remains at 43.

The number has risen steadily for the last few weeks, but it has tapered off for now. Most deaths involve people over the age of 65 and health officials are asking those in that age group to seek medical attention immediately if flu symptoms are being experienced.

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Protect Yourself Against the Flu

Posted on Author WKVI

The latest flu report will be out later today, but at last report 27 people had died as a result of influenza illnesses. Only two of those occurred in people under the age of 18. No county in Indiana has had five reported deaths.

All physicians, labs and hospitals are to report influenza-associated deaths to local health departments within 72 hours of the knowledge of death.

You are encouraged to protect yourself from getting the flu by practicing good hand washing techniques and to wash your hands frequently. Get the flu vaccine at your local health department, pharmacy or physician’s office.

Flu Shots Recommended as the Virus Spreads through the State

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana is experiencing a high level of influenza-like activity early in this flu season with seven deaths reported since November.

Craig Felty, Executive Director of Patient Care at IU Health Starke Hospital said the hospital’s Emergency Room had 59 positive cases in December 2012. No cases of the flu were reported in December 2011. Pulaski Memorial Hospital has seen a big increase in positive influenza cases since Dec. 1.

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Pulaski Co. Health Dept. Offers Walk-in Flu Shot Clinic This Week

Posted on Author WKVI

Walk-in flu shot clinics have been scheduled by the Pulaski County Health Department.

The clinic hours are Oct. 2–4 from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m., and Oct. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon and 1–7 p.m. ET at the Pulaski County Health Department.

Flu vaccines will be $20 for adults and $20 for children. Insurance companies will not be billed. Parents can inquire if your child qualifies for publicly funded vaccines through the state. Call the Pulaski County Health Department at (574) 946-6080.

Influenza A Cases Up To 130, Health Officials Encourage Getting Shots

Posted on Author WKVI

Influenza A has hit Indiana with over 130 cases reported to the Indiana State Department of Health. Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch was asked how concerned we should be with this strain of the flu.

“As concerned as we should be about seasonal flu or any other type of flu,” explained Lynch. “Right now the flu that we’re seeing is more concentrated in farmers of swine and that kind of thing.”

Lynch was quick to say that this strain of flu should not be associated with the swine flu.

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Flu Shot Still Available at Starke County Health Department

Posted on Author WKVI

With plenty of sniffles, sneezes, and coughs abound, Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch wants to remind everyone that the flu vaccine is still available for adults and kids. The peak of the flu season in February and March is still on its way, but so far, cases of the flu have been down since the last flu season. The H1N1 virus isn’t any worse than last season as well, but we’re not out of the woods yet.

Lynch explains that getting the flu vaccine isn’t the only step to avoiding getting sick this season– as always, keeping those hands clean is vital.

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