It's getting better, bit by bit. But better is relative. With the huge wave of flu that hit the USA this year, the decrease in numbers leaves us still well above the epidemic thresholds for deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza, and with 9 more children dying this past week. Our hospital beds still have... Continue Reading →
Flu Update- Yeah, I’m Sick of it, Too (no pun intended). But, Don’t Let Your Guard Down Yet…
The flu cases have come way down in the last couple of weeks. And that is great news! What's NOT so great is that the flu is no longer the fear-rocket that it was, so the media isn't really headlining much about it anymore. There are more glamorous, sexy stories for them to attract viewers.... Continue Reading →
The Flu- What Should Scare the Hell Out of You
Next flu season. It should scare you. A lot. Why? Because I have heard so many people say the flu shot 'didn't work' this year, so why bother taking it next year? If larger numbers of people don't get the vaccine, depending on how nasty the flu bug is next year, larger numbers of sick... Continue Reading →
Friday Flu Update- It May Be Getting Better!
Finally! Some good news on the flu epidemic. National trends are on the decrease. The number of visits to doctors for flu-like illness dropped this past week ( down to 6.4 % of all visits). Sadly, there were 13 more pediatric deaths, bringing the total for this season close to 100. By the end of... Continue Reading →
The Flu Epidemic Update… and What About Adenovirus?
Yup- the CDC upgraded the flu season in the US to epidemic. Where are the numbers? Another 10 pediatric deaths this past week, bringing to total to 63 during the season, ~1 out of every 2000 people are being hospitalized due to flu-like illness, and 1 of every 10 US deaths this past week were... Continue Reading →
Friday Flu Update- Lot’s Of Flu Still Out There
The flu is continuing to send lots of folks to urgent care and emergency rooms. The number of flu cases are high, and the severity of illness this season is particularly high. Emergency rooms are bulging with patients, Many ERs and ICUs are reporting being at full or near full capacity. Some patients need ventilators... Continue Reading →