Deadly Flu Season Claims Nursing Student, 31

David Mueller, a pre-nursing student at Lehigh Carbon Community College, died Wednesday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

A 31-year-old Lehigh Carbon Community College pre-nursing student has died following a bout with the flu and pneumonia, according to a memo from a LCCC official to students and staff.  David Mueller, 31, died at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, according to his obituary posted on the Heintzelman Funeral Home webpage. He was employed as an insurance agent at Geico in Whitehall Township, but he was working toward a degree in nursing at LCCC. He graduated in 2000 from Emmaus High School and was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Church in Orefield. More people have died of the flu in Pennsylvania this season than any other flu season since 2003, when the state began tracking cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has …

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sam

9:30 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013

He had the flu immunization injection, the "flu shot" is not 100 percent.   more ›

Deadly Pa. Flu Season Killed 9 in Lehigh Valley

There have been more flu-related deaths this season than any other season since 2003, according to statistics released Tuesday by the state health department.

  More people have died of the flu in Pennsylvania this season than any other flu season since 2003, when the state began tracking cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Tuesday. Also, there have been more lab-confirmed cases and hospitalizations this season. Of the 154 flu-related deaths from Oct. 2 through Feb. 16, five were in Lehigh County and four were in Northampton County, according to the latest flu statistics released by the state health department. Most of the deaths were among those 65 and older.  Though the flu remains widespread in Pennsylvania, there was good news -- the number of reported flu cases, hospitalizations and emergency room visits were down from the previous week. A total of 1,082 flu cases were …

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StGabes

7:30 am on Friday, March 1, 2013

You think that's bad wait until ObamaCare kicks in...   more ›

Flu Cases Declining But Still a Health Threat

More than 3,500 cases of flu, including seven deaths, have been reported in Lehigh Valley through Feb. 5.

  Flu-related emergency department visits and doctor visits continued to decline last week, but the number of reported flu cases remained above average, according to the latest flu statistics released Feb. 5 by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The flu is still considered to be widespread in Pennsylvania. Across the state, a total of 1,974 flu cases were reported last week, down from 3,683 the previous week. In the Lehigh Valley, the number of confirmed flu cases this season is 3,554, from Oct. 2 through Feb. 5: No one was reported to have died from flu-related complications in the Lehigh Valley last week, though there were 21 flu-related deaths across the state. That brings to 123 the total number of flu-related deaths this season, …

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Flu Update: LVH and St. Luke's Restrict Hospital Visitors

People under 18 are not permitted to visit Lehigh Valley Hospital and St. Luke's Hospitals under new temporary restrictions.

Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke's University Health Network announced Monday that their hospitals are temporarily restricting visitors because of community-wide surges in the the flu and flu-like illnesses. Both networks said in prepared releases that visitors under age 18 will not be permitted in the hospitals. Also, people with flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches) should not to come to the hospital to visit patients. Lehigh Valley Hospital said the visitation restrictions apply to hospital inpatient areas only and do not affect outpatient, procedure, treatment, diagnostic or pharmacy locations. St. Luke's University Health Network said the visitor restrictions are in effect at St. Luke’s Hospital – …

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Diane Roberts

2:26 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013

Westfield Hospital, in Allentown, changed their visitation policy on January 10 when the surge in flu became imminent. Westfield also has restricted visitors, under the age of 18, to visit with those admitted and has asked that anyone who has a cough or flu-like symptoms not visit patients at the hospital. Westfield Hospital, who normally permits 24/7 visitation, reduced its visitng hours from 10…   more ›

Free Flu Shots Today in Allentown

There's no residency requirement for today's free flu shot clinic in Allentown

As Pennsylvania's flu outbreak worsens -- 40 flu-related deaths have been reported so far -- the Allentown Health Bureau will offer FREE flu shots from noon to 5 p.m. Friday at the health bureau office, 245 N. 6th Street, Allentown Who is eligible? Individuals 6 months of age & older are encouraged to get a yearly flu vaccine.  There are no residency requirements to receive the free flu vaccine.  Healthy persons, who are not pregnant and are between 2 and 49 years of age, may choose a flu shot or nasal spray.  (NOTE: Anyone currently running a fever should not get vaccinated. Anyone with an egg allergy should go to their doctor.) How much will it cost? Free - We are not charging individuals who receive the flu vaccine.  However, we are …

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Flu Myths vs. Flu Facts

Does a flu shot cause the flu? Do healthy people need a shot? Here are the answers to some myths

The flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family. However, misconceptions about vaccination persist. Here are 7 common myths about vaccination. Flu Myth #1 A Flu Shot Causes the Flu No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get flu shots and others get salt-water shots, the only differences in symptoms was increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got the …

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Infant Dies from Flu-Related Complications

Lehigh Valley Hospital spokesman Brian Downs confirms that an infant died from flu-related complications over the weekend.

  An infant died from flu-related complications over the weekend at Lehigh Valley Hospital, LVH spokesman Brian Downs confirmed Wednesday. He could not provide further information, citing confidentiality. The infant's death would not have been included in statewide statistics released Tuesday that put the number of influenza-related deaths at 22 this season through Jan. 5, including 18 deaths last week. The state Health Department, on its website, said in that report that no pediatric flu-related deaths had yet been reported and that most of the deaths were among those 65 and older. This season's surge in flu cases prompted Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township to set up a mobile tent this week outside its Emergency Room to handle …

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tamarya

12:45 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013

I agree mom of DnNnd that is just info that I received from pediatrician at time my kids were born, however that was 8 1/2 yrs ago the last was born and I know things change daily lol. My daughter also had health issues so I am sure it was different for me than if she has a healthy baby.   more ›

Lehigh Valley-Cedar Crest Sets Up Separate ER for Flu Patients

An influx of patients suffering from flu-like illness has prompted Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest to set up a mobile tent outside the emergency department to treat patients.

LVH Sets Up Separate ER for Flu Patients

An influx of patients suffering from flu-like illness has prompted Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest to set up a mobile tent outside the emergency department to treat patients.

In one of the worst flu outbreaks in years, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township will open a separate emergency room Tuesday, Jan. 8 for patients experiencing flu-like symptoms. The hospital has set up a mobile tent outside the ER to handle an additional influx of patients suffering from flu-like illness, it said in a news release issued Monday. Patients who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should still report to the main ER entrance for triage, a hospital spokesman said. St. Luke’s University Health Network's six emergency rooms is currently seeing about 20 patients a day with flu-like symptoms but does not see a need to expand patient capacity at this time, said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, chief of infectious diseases. The …

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Patch McCracken D.O. Gastroenterologist

5:24 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements??!!!! Nah --- oUhhhh! They told me to get vacine so i can display tag that states "I got Vaccinated, so I don't have to wear a blue mask." err "meant because I care." oh well at least I can bypass the tent of flu patients spreading it to maybe has it patients by stating "I dont have to go in there, I got the shot." to the person outside the main ER, diverting flu …   more ›

Pa. Flu Cases Have Doubled in Past Week

Flu cases in Pennsylvania have gone from sporadic to widespread, state health officials warn

The Department of Health reports there has been a significant rise in influenza activity across Pennsylvania since Thanksgiving.  The Department of Health is reporting flu activity has increased from sporadic to widespread throughout the state, meaning at least half of the state’s regions are experiencing outbreaks of influenza or increases in influenza-like illness. The flu made an appearance earlier this year than in most flu seasons, as widespread activity is usually not seen until January. The number of cases reported to the department more than doubled in the past week.  “If you decided to wait, now is the perfect time to get vaccinated against the flu,” Acting Secretary of Health Michael Wolf said. “Ensuring that you and your family …

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