Posted on 02/02/2008 7:46:19 AM PST by blam
CDC: Flu outbreaks reported in 11 states
By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer
Fri Feb 1, 8:29 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Flu season is in full swing, with wide outbreaks in 11 states — and a new strain is starting to emerge that this year's vaccine doesn't specifically target, the government's public health chief said Friday.
People still should get their flu shot, and there's plenty available, Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told The Associated Press.
So far, the majority of flu cases are being caused by strains that are a good match to the vaccine — and it should provide some cross-protection against the new bug, too, Gerberding stressed.
"We're still very optimistic" about the protection, Gerberding said. "If people haven't gotten their flu shot, it really is still not too late."
Every year, the flu infects up to 20 percent of the population, causes the hospitalization of 200,000 people and kills 36,000.
Flu is a virus, but it can make its victims vulnerable to bacterial infections, in the lungs or the bloodstream, at the same time.
Children are at particular risk, and the CDC this week sent an alert to doctors to watch for young flu victims who might also have such bacterial infections as the notorious drug-resistant staph known as MRSA.
Last year, the CDC learned of 73 children who died from flu, and 44 percent of them had a bacterial co-infection — mostly staph. Compared to earlier years, that's a five-fold increase in staph piggybacking on kids' flu.
While the CDC's newest flu report lists one child death so far this year, Gerberding wanted to be sure that doctors test for staph in any child with a suspicious illness "because these bacteria need special treatment, and we want to make sure they get the right therapy."
Each year's vaccine contains protection against three influenza strains — two members of the nasty Type A family, an H1N1 and an H3N2 version, plus a milder Type B — that experts predict will cause the most illness.
So far this year, H1N1 is causing the vast majority of disease, Gerberding said.
But a new H3N2 strain emerged near the end of Australia's flu season, too late to be included in the U.S. vaccine. Called H3N2/Brisbane-like, it is now sickening Americans, although it still is making for a small proportion of cases, Gerberding cautioned.
Some 132 million doses of vaccine were produced this year, more than ever before. It's too early to know how many people got vaccinated, but Gerberding said a record number of doses were distributed to doctors and other vaccine providers — and that there is still some available.
CDC has found flu affecting most of the country but widespread outbreaks in Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.
I think my son got this, the nose swab for flu did not test positive. Fever shot up to 104.8 . . . he’s on his 4th day still sick.
Ever hear of oil of oregano - the North American Brand? I think it may help your son.
Please oh Please Glorious media...
Tell us how many that got/get the flu have already had their flu shot?
TELL US?
ping
Just got over it. Know lots of people from work that came down with it - miserable bug. Finally beginning to feel half normal on day five.
If you’re worried your son may have the staph infection, have your doctors do a blood test and look for the s.e.d. rate. That is a mechanism whereby they check for infections in the system.
A normal s.e.d. rate is between 1 and 10. I had the mrsa infection due to a past back surgery...my s.e.d. rate was 220.
Took alot of liquid antibiotics pumped through a pic line directly into my heart for 13 weeks, but thankfully they got it.
So, if the staph is your concern, please ask your doctor of that possibility.
Hope your son gets well.
I get it at my local health food store. Call around before going. Insist on the North American brand. My daughter is going to a convention in FL for work and I just came back from getting her some for her air flight. It’s potent and it works!
What dosage do you take?
Very small - like a drop or two under the tongue. Depending on the sickness - maybe a few times a day. I can’t remember the name of the book and/or author. Unfortunately, I loaned the book out and never got it back. I found this about 15 years ago when I was constantly besieged w/bronchitis. Thought I’d give it a try and haven’t had bronchitis since.
This article carries no info, What are the 11 states? Did the people who are getting the flu have their flu shots. In short, do I have to worry or not.
I have noticed of late that news stories carry no information. What happened to what, where, when, why, who etc?
Forgot to mention - Manuka Honey Bio Active 10 or above. Read up on it - something else that I use and it works.
Oh my. I’m on about my 4th week of bronchitis. After 1 zpack of antibiotics and then later at urgent care a breathing treatment (that I had an allergic reaction to), continuous use of mucinex and a vaporizer. I’m getting better but it’s slow.
I’m going to research your oil of oregano a little for dosage. Thanks.
Thanks for the info. Why only the North American? I have the Mediterranean oil of oregano.
Regards
Don’t forget the Manuka Honey. You can beat this once and for all! I remember those days - one antibioticc and then another one because the first one didn’t work. REMEMBER: when taking antibiotic you MUST take a pro biotic - antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria and you must replace your good bacteria.
You need a good pro biotic - yogurt, alone, doesn’t cut it.
The oregano comes from Greece. The dr - I wish I could remember his name - that developed it said there are alot of offshoots of oil or oregano so he was saying his claims are only for the North American brand. From what I have seen, it’s the most expensive. My bottle goes for 29.95 at my local health food store. I remember the day when the bottle was a big larger and the price was only 19.95.
I just checked my bottle. Here’s the website they list.
www.p-73.com
Thanks for the reminder on OoO. Ran out. Have never had a really high quality form but felt even the so-so was effective.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/oil-of-oregano/AN01195
"Oil of oregano has received a great deal of attention, with proponents claiming it can treat a variety of illnesses, including sinus disorders. Like many spices, oregano does have some antibacterial and antifungal properties — making it at least plausible that it might help or prevent some sinus problems caused by bacteria and fungi. Unfortunately, there have been no published trials that have looked at oil of oregano specifically for this use. For this reason, it isn't known what role, if any, oil of oregano plays in treating or preventing sinusitis.
And we know WHY there are 'no trials' - It can't be patented, ergo, ignore it, maybe people won't discover it and will continue to spend the big bucks on prescriptions...
Interesting to note that they include the fact that Oregano and other herbs DO have "antibacterial and antifungal properties" - that's quite a concession from The Establishment"
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