Flu Cases Rise Across U.S., Severe Season Feared
It's not too late to get vaccinated, CDC says
FRIDAY, Jan. 4 (HealthDay News) -- In Chicago, a hospital employee describes the emergency department as "knee-deep in flu and pneumonia cases."
In Richmond, Va., Dr. Kenneth Lucas of the Patient First clinic says he's seen a 30 percent rise in flu cases, which "hit the fan around Christmastime" and "really rolled in with the holidays."
And in Rhode Island, where almost 10 percent of emergency room visits in the past week were due to flu-like symptoms, state Health Department Director Michael Fine predicts this could be the worst flu season in years.
This year's influenza season got off to an early start, and according to these and other published accounts it's ramping up as peak flu season nears.
"As we have moved into.. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/01/04/flu-cases-rise-across-us-severe-season-feared
Dangerous Flu Season
January 4, 2013 at 11:00 Am
The flu season is off to an early and dangerous start. Southern and southwestern states, in particular, are reporting large numbers of people with the flu in ER rooms and doctor’s offices seeking relief.
Many doctors have said that they began seeing patients with the flu or flu-like symptoms as early as Thanksgiving and a few even said they saw patients in September. That’s far ahead of the normal beginning of the flu season in December and January.
Typically, the flu just makes people very sick for a week or two, but it can also be deadly for the very young, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.
However, even people who are otherwise healthy can suffer a fatal bout with the virus.
Max Schwolert , a 17-year. http://www.kvue.com/news/health/kids-doctor/185664511.html
Early flu season accelerates; no peak yet, CDC says
he nation’s early flu season continued to grow in the U.S. this week, with no sign yet of a peak in the spread of coughing, achy, feverish illness, health officials said Friday.
"I think we're still accelerating," said Tom Skinner, a CDC spokesman.
Twenty-nine states and New York City reported high levels of flu activity, up from 16 states and NYC the previous week. Flu was widespread in 41 states, up from 31 states, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of the week ending Dec. 29, 2,257 people had been hospitalized with flu, and 18 children had died from complications of the illness, CDC reported... http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/04/16329989-early-flu-season-accelerates-no-peak-yet-cdc-says?lite
