New Colorado Flu Deaths Spur Wider Worries

AP/Yahoo ^ | 12-3-2003

[blam]

New Colo. Flu Deaths Spur Wider Worries

DENVER - Two more Colorado children have died from the flu, raising the statewide total to at least five in an early outbreak that could be a sign of a severe flu season for the country, health officials said.

The number of confirmed flu cases in Colorado has grown to more than 6,300, health officials said Wednesday — just over more than the number from the last two seasons combined. The flu season normally peaks in January and February and runs through April.

The latest victims were a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old from the Denver suburb of Thornton who died Sunday and Monday, state health officials said.

Hospitals and county coroners have reported six flu-related deaths, but state officials said they had only confirmed five and were investigating a sixth. All six were children, ranging from 21 months to 15 years old.

Health officials have said this could be an especially bad flu season nationwide, with some parts of the country — particularly Colorado, Texas and Nevada — hit hard a month earlier than usual.

During last year's flu season, which was mild, two children in the state died of influenza. In the 2000-2001 season, two children also died.

"Obviously, the number exceeds (the norm), and the season is not over," said Dr. Ken Gershman, chief of the communicable disease program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Influenza researchers say this year they expect the death toll nationwide from flu-related complications to surpass the average of 36,000. The majority of flu deaths are among the elderly.

[Free Trapper]

My wife said she saw a news report-two babies and a teen in N.Texas that are dead from what they think is the flu but no confirmation on the cause,as yet.

[Judith Anne]

This year's flu has made it to our rural public schools.

[prairiebreeze]

I heard very recently that they've discovered the influenza viruses mutated after they developed and produced this years vaccine. So while the vaccine will offer "substantial" protection (their word), it isn't as accurate and effective as they'd liked it to be.

FWIW

Prairie

[blam]

"My wife said she saw a news report-two babies and a teen in N.Texas that are dead from what they think is the flu but no confirmation on the cause,as yet."

I haven't seen much about the flu in the local news in this area (Gulf Coast) yet. Fingers crossed.

[blam]

"I heard very recently that they've discovered the influenza viruses mutated after they developed and produced this years vaccine."

Yup, I read that and got one of those flu shots.

[Free Trapper]

You're near St.Louis,aren't you?

I'm right on the Texas Okla. border and my whole family,both sides of the River,have been pretty sick about a week.We had our shots and I think they've helped a lot.

[prairiebreeze]

I always get the flu shot, it's not worth it to me to risk getting full-blown influenza as I frequently develop complications.

A few years back one of the labs that manufactured the vaccine was found to be really poor quality and it was subsequently shut down but their vaccine had already gone out and been administered to the public.

I remain convinced that I received some of that stuff because in January I came down with...full-blown influenza with complications.

Normally though, I'm a firm believer in it. Sounds like timing didn't work to the scientists advantage this year. I hope parents will remain vigilant with their young kids. This could be very bad for the elderly too.

I keep expecting to hear of SARS outbreaks....hope I don't.

Prairie

[ClancyJ]

I think my husband got it while flying to Houston. Had the flu shots but he got it and two weeks later I got it. It kept on coming back. You thought you were well - then the next morning - it was back again. Took us a month to get over it.

[Judith Anne]

FT, No, not near St. Louis, s. central mo.

Prairie Breeze, I saw a crawler on Fox News today that talked about SARS, the CDC news was that scientists here "fear" that it could be worse this year than last, that it would be complicated by influenza (differential diagnosis, I suspect) and that US hospitals are not prepared.

Fox News said in the crawler that the CDC says they need more scientists, but what I think we're going to need is more nurses.

[blam]

I had Thanksgiving family/guests in from Houston, New Orleans and Indianapolis. I figured they'd bring something...nothing yet, lol.

[nuconvert]

I think there's something "they're" not telling us about this flu because they don't really know themselves and don't want to alarm people. (uh-huh)

[meanie monster]

My whole family (except our 10 yr old daughter) has had the flu. Lasted about five days with 2 days of fever and body aches. My son started it and caught it at school. Can you catch different strains of the virus and get it twice? I don't think we had the deadly strain but we felt like crap for sure. Take care everyone.

[prairiebreeze]

but what I think we're going to need is more nurses.

"We are going to need more nurses in this country for more than SARS before too much longer", said Prairie who left the profession in digust after 25 years of service.

But thanks for the info on the FNC crawler. I've been afraid of that. How do you think Americans will take to strict quarantine? ....ahem.....

Prairie

[opbuzz]

Many folks in N Florida have what we call a cold, but mine has gone on for two weeks, the standard so far.

How do you tell the difference from the flu?

[blam]

"How do you tell the difference from the flu?"

I think with the flu there are fevers, muscle pain and cold sweats, etc. The flu is a virus and the 'common cold' is a bacteria...I think I'm correct on this.

[meanie monster]

Your right, what sucked the most about being sick was we were either freezing cold or sweating buckets.

[Mr. Jeeves]

The flu is a virus and the 'common cold' is a bacteria...I think I'm correct on this.

They are both viruses. Pneumonia is usually bacterial (I had it last year - no fun at all), though it can also be caused by a virus.

[Free Trapper]

I had family stop by the day after Thanksgiving headed back to Houston and the San Antonio areas.I bet it's been spread nearly everywhere now.

I really think the shot helped keep the severity down for me,due to past experience and as bad as I hear others with it are.

[BuckeyeForever]

No, the "common cold" is also caused by a virus.