Saturday, January 26, 2013
The brunt of the flu virus may have passed, but other strains of the virus are keeping the number of flu-like illnesses high in Maryland.
The flu strain that has been making many sick in Maryland and around the country may be peaking, but that doesn't mean it's time to cease precautions and skip the flu shot. Other strains could circulate, keeping the flu around for months. Overall, the intensity of flu-like illnesses in Maryland remains high, according to the latest Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene report for the week ending Jan. 19. The influenza virus was geographically widespread according to the last report, meaning there is flu activity throughout different regions, said David Blythe, a medical epidemiologist with the state. While the virus is difficult to predict, he said there is a possibility the flu has peaked and is headed toward a decline. Even …
Sunday, January 20, 2013
See coverage of this year's flu season on Savage-Guilford Patch.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Doctors are still urging residents to get a flu shot.
The number of flu cases in Maryland have dropped over the last week, but health officials are still pushing residents to get the flu vaccine, according to a report in The Gazette. The week ending Dec. 29, 10.1 prcent of people visiting doctors were for the flu and the week ending Jan. 5 only 3.5 percent of people visiting doctors were there for the flu, according to a report from the state. Maryland’s flu season might have peaked, but the number of cases remains widespread statewide and health officials are still urging people to be vaccinated, a state epidemiologist said Monday. The numbers are still higher than the past two flu seasons, according to the Gazette report.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Howard County Health Department is offering free flu clinics for all members of the public on Jan. 17, Jan. 24 and Jan. 25.
If you're worried about catching the flu that has been making its way across Maryland over the past two weeks, then maybe it's time to get that flu shot. "We continue to have a limited supply of vaccine that we are offering to the public and will continue to do so until we have no more," said Dr. Maura J. Rossman, Howard County's Health Officer. "We are not overwhelmed in Howard County, compared to how we hear New York state and Massachusetts is, and that's a very good thing." "We encourage all Howard County residents to get immunized," said Rossman, "that's the most effective way of preventing flu." Rossman said the typical flu season tends to peak in January or February then goes away. "There's about a six week period of flu," said …
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Google Flu Trends "uses aggregated Google search data to estimate current flu activity around the world in near real-time," its website stated.
Flu cases appear to be rising still in Maryland, according to Google Flu Trends, which "uses aggregated Google search data to estimate current flu activity around the world in near real-time," the Google Flu Trends website stated. Google Flu Trends data indicates that the number of flu cases in Maryland started rising in mid-November. As of Jan. 11, the flu has reached the "intense" category in Maryland, whereas at this time last year, the number of flu cases was only in the "moderate" range. Best places to escape the flu, according to Google Flu Trends: South America, South Africa and Australia. (Perhaps flu viruses don't like long flights?) Or, better yet, consider getting a flu shot. Find a flu shot location near you with this Flu …
Friday, January 11, 2013
Google Flu Trends "uses aggregated Google search data to estimate current flu activity around the world in near real-time," its website stated.
Flu cases appear to be rising still in Maryland, according to Google Flu Trends, which "uses aggregated Google search data to estimate current flu activity around the world in near real-time," the Google Flu Trends website stated. Google Flu Trends data indicates that the number of flu cases in Maryland started rising in mid-November. As of Jan. 11, the flu has reached the "intense" category in Maryland, whereas at this time last year, the number of flu cases was only in the "moderate" range. Earlier this week, Prince George's Hospital in Cheverly, MD reported an uptick in patients suffering from flu-like symptoms. "We've seen an increased amount of patients in the ER with flu-like symptoms," Prince George's Hospital Center spokeswoman …
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Last year it was late. This year it's early. But the flu is a given every year. What you need to know.
It seems as if everyone knows someone who’s had the flu already this year. And it’s no surprise. According to Google Flu Trends, which is accurate when compared to Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention data, the Internet company says, most of the country is seeing “intense” flu activity right now. But there may be a bit of good news when it comes to the flu. “It looks like we’ve hit our peak already,” Mark Landrum, an infection control physician at Howard County General Hospital said. Although according to CDC data, most of the country is still seeing widespread flu activity, he said, “It looks like most places … are starting to see some decrease in cases.” Flu season varies, Landrum said, between mid-November and March. Last year, …
Health officials are calling it the worst flu season in a decade.
Prince George's County hospitals are seeing an increase in patients with flu-like symptoms as the number of influenza cases across the state and the country rises and health officials gear up for a flu season that could be the one of the worst in a decade. The amount of cases is putting a strain on county hospitals. "We've seen an increased amount of patients in the ER with flu-like symptoms," Prince George's Hospital Center spokeswoman Erika Murray said. "That impacts the ER with longer waits and reduced beds." The flu is spreading earlier and faster than usual in the Washington, DC region this year, The Washington Post reported, and Maryland is experiencing widespread cases. In Maryland so far this season, 2,362 people have tested …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Google Flu Trends uses search data to estimate the prevalence of the disease around the world.
Flu cases are on the rise, according to Flu Trends, a Google-run site that uses search data to estimate the prevalence of the disease around the world in real time. The latest figures indicate that flu activity in Maryland is in the high to intense range. At this time last year, the incidence of the virus was considered low to moderate in the state. The story is much the same for the Washington, D.C. area, where flu activity also registers in the high to intense range. In general, the Southeast is seeing the U.S.'s highest levels of flu activity, while the West is seeing lower infection rates. The best places to escape the flu, according to the site: South America, South Africa, and Australia. Or—better yet—consider getting a flu shot. (…
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Flu season hits early and hard in the United States, says CDC.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
- Ben Gross
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Sunday, December 9, 2012
According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) FluView flu activity tracker, the influenza virus has “increased substantially” in the south central and Southeast regions of the country, and has come the earliest since the 2003-2004: While influenza vaccines have been around since 1945, the type that contains a live virus have only been used since 2003, and many people still wonder if they should get a flu vaccine shot. Today, there are two basic types of flu vaccines – traditional needle injection and a nasal spray. Who should get a flu shot? The CDC believes that all persons aged 6 months and older should be vaccinated on a yearly basis, but especially urges the shot for children under 5 …
jag
1:27 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
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