22 Dead from Flu in Pa. - Did You Get Your Flu Shot?
Statistics released Tuesday from the state Department of Health show flu cases continue to rise locally and across Pennsylvania.
The number of flu cases in the Lehigh Valley and throughout Pennsylvania spiked in early January as health officials continue to deal with one of the worst flu outbreaks in years.
Flu season is so bad this year that Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township set up a mobile tent Tuesday outside the Emergency Room to handle patients with flu-like symptoms.
The state reported Tuesday there were 18 influenza-related deaths last week, bringing to 22 the total number of flu-related deaths this season, according to the state Health Department website.
Most of the reported deaths were among those 65 and older, but two of the people who died were "otherwise healthy" people under age 50, the state health officials said. No pediatric flu-related deaths have been reported.
Statistics from the state Department of Health put the number of confirmed cases in the Lehigh Valley at 1,205 as of Jan. 5, up from a total of 683 cases. There were 585 cases in Lehigh County and 620 cases in Northampton County from Oct 2 to Jan. 5.
In Pennsylvania, the number of confirmed flu cases jumped to 11,327 since Oct. 2, up from a total of 7,181 cases the previous week. Flu cases have now been reported in all the state's 67 counties.
The flu does not peak until mid-January or February, so it is not too late to get a flu shot. To find a place near you to get a flu shot, type your zip code into the Flu Finder site.
Influenza—more commonly known as simply "the flu"—is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs. It spreads via infected people coughing, sneezing or talking, though people can also get infected by touching something with the flu virus on it before touching their mouth, eyes or nose.
Symptoms of the flu include muscle or body aches, headache, cough, sore throat, fatigue, fever or chills, and vomiting and diarrhea (the latter two are more common in kids). The flu can also worsen chronic medical conditions or cause death.
State health officials say lab-confirmed flu cases represent only a fraction of those with the flu, since most people with the flu -- including those who seek health care -- are diagnosed on the presumption they have the flu without lab tests performed.
Patch McCracken D.O. Gastroenterologist
5:58 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
That's what happens when you stick them all in a tent
Staberdearth
6:58 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Is that what that is? I thought that it was the swamp in MASH...
morgen
7:44 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
According to the health departments website, it looks as if, even though it's an early flu season, we're actually at about the same numbers as every other flu season.
Approximately 600,000 to 1.3 million people contract the flu every year. So, I'm not clear on why this year is cause for alarm. If so many people are affected every year, it doesn't seem like the flu shot is working for the average healthy adult (and why would it when it's made out of last year's strain).
Seems to me as if we're just trying to scare people again with "widespread epidemic " wording.
The flu sucks. But it sucks to the same extent every year. So let's not go all Howard Hughes over it.
Also, I need coffee. I'm cranky.
morgen
7:49 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
And also, I think the increase in lab confirmed flu is due to more people being tested by a lab.. Not more flu sufferers.
morgen
8:06 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
OK, one more thought and then I promise to go away.. I'm reading the symptoms and they look like regular symptoms for lots of stuff. Sore throat? Cough? Fever? Hmmm.. Sounds brutal.
Tell me that this year's flu causes bleeding from the eyes. THEN maybe I'll get on board with the panic.
OK.. I'm going away now. Coffee is ready!
Jeepers63
9:00 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
To funny morgen, lol If sick people would just stay home & take care of themselves, less sickness would be going around. Guess there are just to many people who just don't care.
amy
9:58 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
so true! were I work most of the people come in sick and make everyone else sick, so selfish!
Morgan
1:30 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
People would be able to stay home if we had sick days, or a company who cared about our health. They don't. They want you to show up and that's all that matters. Many people care, but also have bills to pay.
chris
10:58 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I agree with Morgan jobs need to give more sick days there shoul be 12 sick days a year people can not go with out money these days so they go in sick and everyone else gets sick so they can make money I'm home sick and just lost two days pay so now there goes an unpaid bill most people live pay check by paycheck. Dont blame the sick people blame the selfish comapines
John Dill Doe
10:44 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
People be smarter. Wfmz ran a story yesterday. In it they stated that one third(see 1 in 3) of the people with the flue this season did not get the flu shot. So that means 2 out of 3 did get it and got the flu. That means you are way more likely to get the flu if you get the sh. ot. Wake up people you are a money source for big pharma nothing else. Any of you see the recall of thousands of vials of this years flu shots because of things floating in the vials. Yep quality control...
morgen
12:19 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
I don't think you need to tell us to wake up, because it looks like we actually agree with that.. :)
thedish
1:33 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Lets instill fear so people run out for the flu shot and get the flu anyway. Its just big pharmas time to cash in on the panic.
Rich Cranium
1:49 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
I think we need to ban the flu
Rachael B
2:06 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
I would love to know the numbers of people that have the flu like me and are staying home not running out to infect others and then get an accurate total of how many people this "flu" has actually affected :) PS I had the shot too due to medical conditions LOL guess who will bypass that next year!
Rachael B
2:18 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
One more thing...how do we get ppl to wash their hands and sanitize...geez such an easy concept!
Mary Anne Looby
2:22 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
I think we need to ban discussions like these!
Joy Full
5:00 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
A friend of mine developed Bells Palsy after getting a flu shot years ago, which is why I will never get one. Ever. Had the flu plenty of times - including the dreaded Swine Flu. NBD. I'm healthy. I lived.
Gramma24
11:22 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Since they started offering flu shots each year, I have gotten it once. Got so sick I couldn't function. Called the doctor who said 'oh, you can get mild symptoms of the flu after the shot'....if that was mild, I'd hate to see severe. Haven't gotten one since. Have I had the flu, probably, as I have had some pretty wicked colds, but none rivaled the symptoms of the 'after effects' of the flu shot. Take care of yourself, and sanitize and this too shall pass.