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 →
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 →
The Flu- Many ER’s Are Full and Reports of Tamiflu Shortages. What Now?
I normally don't like to raise the red flag of fear and listen the the hysteria of the mass media who promote almost every year as a possible pandemic flu to get more viewers. But with many of the ER's in my own town overflowing with patients, including some that are on 'bypass' (meaning the... Continue Reading →
The Flu- Why It’s Going to be a Bad Year and What To Do If You Get Sick
As of 2 days before Christmas, 36 of the US states reported widespread influenza and another 13 states reported regional influenza. In Maricopa County, Arizona, where I live (See picture above) , there has been an increase of almost 900% in flu cases compared to last season. The flu can be deadly, especially to the... Continue Reading →