Influenza is here. Starting a few weeks before the holidays it began creeping up, not only in water cooler conversations and in sick call phone messages, but in emergency departments and physician's offices. So much so that people began to suspect something was amiss. Is it a new strain? Is there a problem with the vaccine? Today the City of Boston declared an influenza emergency because their hospitals are inundated with flu patients and the intensive care units are full (see link below).
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/early-flu-season-hits-hard-224805500--abc-news-wellness.html
The story in NYC is a bit different. Sure, we've got flu, and plenty of it. One measure used is the number of long-term care facility outbreaks and we've already exceeded the number from all of last season. But thus far doctors and emergency departments are handling the load. If fact, the volume isn't unusual for peak flu season, the issue is that we've forgotten what a normal flu season is like. Last year flu barely touched down in NYC and cases were mild. In fact since the pandemic in 2009 we've had mild flu seasons, so we've forgotten what a mean flu season is like. The strain circulating this year is of the H3 variety, more severe than H1, and it arrived earlier than usual by about a month or so. The strains included in the vaccine are a good match so there isn't concern that the vaccine is any less effective than usual. Trouble is that flu vaccine doesn't work as well in the folks who need it the most, the elderly. But there are other things we New Yorkers can do to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
First and foremost, get yourself and children vaccinated. This will most likely protect you and if you do get ill it will be less severe. Your flu vaccination protects other family members and loved ones, because if you don't get sick you can't give it to grandma in the nursing home. Second, stay home when you have flu symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, chills). No sense spreading the misery. This goes the same for kids too. And by no means go visit grandma if your are sick. She and her friends are vulnerable to flu and its complications. Wait until you're better. She'll miss you, but then she still be around for your next visit. Flu does kill, up to 50,000 Americans each season, and most are at the extremes of age. Also a good idea if you are not too sick to stay out of the emergency department or your doctor's office. Now if you are pregnant, have a chronic disease or respiratory problem then you should be in contact with your physician at the first symptom, otherwise, tough it out and keep your snot to yourself.
Oh, and don't forget to cover your cough and wash your hands!
