America's North Shore Journal » Swine Flu
New York State swine flu report through November 7 2009
New York State follows the example of the CDC and its reporting is at least a week behind at any given time. In the week ending November 7 2009, flu activity continued to explode in upstate New York. New York State is reporting the level of this pandemic in several ways. In labs statewide for the week ending November 7, over 4,000 specimens tested positive for the A flu virus, 99% of those testing positive for flu. At the state laboratory, 43 of 45 specimens tested positive for Swine Flu. The state is also tracking visits to hospital emergency departments for influenza like illnesses (ILI). In the Western Region, including the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Corning and Elmira, the rate was 19.8% of all emergency department visits. This was a 10% increase … Read entire article »
Swine Flu worldwide for November 8 2009
First, the latest on the Ukraine: 17 November 2009 — Preliminary tests reveal no significant changes in the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus based on investigations of samples taken from patients in Ukraine. Analyses are being performed by two WHO influenza collaborating centres as part of the global influenza surveillance network. Preliminary genetic sequencing shows that the virus is similar to the virus used for production of the pandemic influenza vaccine, reconfirming the vaccine’s efficacy at this time. Additional questions about the pandemic virus circulating in Ukraine will be answered as more data is available. WHO commends the government of Ukraine for its open sharing of samples to inform global monitoring of the virus for signs of change. A total of 34 samples were analysed independently by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research … Read entire article »
Swine Flu in the United States for November 7 2009
The CDC continues to release data on Fridays for the previous week. The data in this report is for the week ending November 7 and was released November 13, 2009. Visits to doctors for influenza like illness: second week that rates have declined. Now 6.7% and the seasonal baseline is 2.3%. Note, however, that many doctors are telling patients who call with ILI symptoms not to come in to the office unless it is serious. Hospitalizations for lab confirmed influenza: still climbing. Deaths from pneumonia and influenza: still increasing. 46 states report widespread flu activity. That is down two states since the last weekly report. Virus typing continues to find nearly all specimens are pandemic H1N1, swine flu. Previous in series Table of contents for Pandemic Flu United States 2009Pandemic Flu in the United States … Read entire article »
My television interview
Don’t miss my television interview on the Time Warner local new channel, YNN. I was asked to counterpoint the county medical society president. Is the Vaccine Production Process Broken? Previous in series Next in seriesTable of contents for Pandemic Flu United States 2009Pandemic Flu in the United States June 12 2009Pandemic Flu in the United States June 15 2009Pandemic Swine Flu in the United States June 17 2009Pandemic Swine Flu – H1n1 in the United States June 22 2009Pandemic Swine Flu – H1n1 in the United States June 24 2009Pandemic Swine Flu – H1N1 in the U.S. MilitaryPandemic Swine Flu – H1n1 in the United States June 25 2009Pandemic Swine Flu – H1N1 in the United States June 29 2009Pandemic Swine Flu – H1N1 in the United States July 1 2009Coast … Read entire article »
Filed under: Influenza, Me and Mine, Medicine, Pandemic, Recognition, Swine Flu
What to do if your child catches swine flu
Swine flu, pandemic H1N1, is spreading once again in the United States and the Northern Hemisphere. It continues to be infecting young people under the age of 24 in the highest numbers, closing schools and forcing cancellation of various events. The Centers for Disease Control report 128 influenza associated pediatric deaths at this point in the 2008-2009 flu season. That number is 50% higher than last year and the highest in the last four years. Hospitalization rates for patients in the under age 2 and the age 5-17 categories also exceed the multi year average. Read the rest of the article here. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Influenza, Medicine, Original writing, Pandemic, Swine Flu
Comparing the current swine flu outbreak and “seasonal” flu
A comparison of the current swine flu outbreak to the annual seasonal flu shows many similarities and a few important differences. The many strains of the influenza virus produce the same symptoms and the same effects, as a general rule, but certain strains such as Swine Flu do behave slightly differently. Seasonal influenza and the Swine Flu share a great many symptoms. They produce fever, lung congestion and cough, a stuffy or runny nose, body aches and extreme fatigue. Influenza is a “whole body” illness, unlike the common cold which affects the upper respiratory system alone. Read the rest of the article here. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Influenza, Medicine, Original writing, Pandemic, Swine Flu
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to those of seasonal flu. The different strains of influenza seem to affect people in pretty much the same ways. The first key symptom is a high fever. The fever may be mild but can also rapidly increase to a dangerous temperature. In an adult, an oral temperature over 100 degrees F is considered a fever, and in children a rectal temperature over 100.4 degrees F. Fevers over 103 degrees begin to be dangerous. A spiking fever, rapid onset and rapid increase to a high temperature, is also a sign of danger. Headache and chills may accompany the fever. CDC WebMD Mayo Clinic Read the rest of the article here. Previous in series Next in seriesTable of contents for Pandemic Flu World 2009Pandemic Swine … Read entire article »
Filed under: Influenza, Medicine, Original writing, Pandemic, Swine Flu
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Inside a Swine Flu vaccination clinic
November 22nd, 2009 | Comments Off
On Thursday, November 19, and Saturday, November 21, 2009, I spent about five hours each day working as a volunteer at a vaccination clinic run by the Monroe County Public Health Department (DPH). It was one of five each day held to vaccinate at risk groups for pandemic H1N1, the Swine Flu. I worked at the one held at the former Medley Center Mall in Irondequoit. The DPH did a great job publicizing the clinics, with the cooperation of the local media. Attendance on Thursday was somewhat overwhelming, while that on Saturday was more even in flow. The DPH contracted with private companies for the actual vaccine administration. DPH personnel and volunteers were used for crowd control. The observations in this piece apply only to the location I worked at, unless otherwise … Read entire article »
Filed under: Commentary, Influenza, Medicine, Original writing, Pandemic, Public Health issues, Swine Flu