The flu bug is going around:Dont let it bite you'

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The flu bug is going aroundDont let it bite you.

• Mallory Buck
• Current Events

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Flu hits Nebraska hard on holiday weekend By
Nichole Aksamit and Kamahria Hopkins An unusually
early flu season collided with normal holiday
stresses for a post-Turkey Day explosion of
illness in the Omaha area. State health
officials said Monday that influenza in Nebraska
has reached the "widespread" category - putting
the state in the company of Colorado, Nevada and
Texas, some of the hardest hit this year. In
Iowa, five of six public health regions are
reporting influenza cases, which pushes the state
into the "regional" outbreak category where
Nebraska had been. While shoppers hit the stores
last weekend, sick people flooded Omaha-area
hospitals, clinics and urgent-care centers, often
finding long lines. "Our waiting room was full
all weekend long," said Dr. Chris Elliott,
medical director of the emergency department at
Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. His
ER saw about 440 patients Friday through Sunday,
nearly double a normal holiday weekend volume.
More than half had flu symptoms. Children's
Hospital in Omaha saw about 520 patients over the
holiday weekend, three-fourths of them with flu
symptoms.
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The labs at the Nebraska Medical Center confirmed
10 to 20 cases of influenza per day over the
weekend - just the "tip of the iceberg,"
according to Dr. Mark Rupp, an infectious disease
specialist at the center. An Immanuel Medical
Center supervisor, according to a hospital
spokeswoman, put it this way "We got bombed this
weekend." Douglas County health officials on
Monday reported 120 new confirmed cases of
influenza A since Thanksgiving Day, bringing the
total to 464. That's nearly triple the number
from a week ago. Only one case was reported at
this time last fall. A sick woman seeking care
at the Physicians Clinic in Millard on Sunday
reported standing in line behind 20 others, most
with flu like symptoms. A similar backlog in the
waiting room is prompting a policy change at the
Nebraska Medical Center, which will require
people with respiratory problems to don a
surgical mask when they enter. The new policy,
to start this week, was recommended by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to
counter the possible re-emergence of sudden acute
respiratory syndrome, or SARS, this fall. It also
makes sense with the flu, a hospital spokeswoman
said.
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"You come to the ER with a badly sprained ankle,
and you're surrounded by people coughing," Kelly
Grinnell said. Outside of Omaha, the Community
Blood Bank in Lincoln reported that donations
have dropped dramatically because people who
normally give blood have gotten ill. Regional
West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, which is
closer to Denver than to Omaha, has seen about 10
cases of influenza so far this year, compared
with none at this time in 2002. Across the
state, some schools are reporting
higher-than-usual absenteeism, and emergency
rooms are reporting high patient volume. So
what's a healthy body to do? The advice really
hasn't changed. Health officials recommend
getting a flu shot (as long as you are older than
6 months and not allergic to eggs) and washing
your hands frequently. And if you still become
sick? Stay home from school and work, drink lots
of fluids and consult a doctor or nurse by phone.

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If you're diagnosed with flu within 48 hours of
its onset, your doctor can prescribe an antiviral
drug, such as Symmetrel, Flumadine, Relenza or
Tamiflu. The CDC says those medications can
lessen the severity of flu symptoms and shorten
flu's duration by about one day. If taken by
those who live with you, the drugs may prevent
the spread of the virus within your home. But
you have to start them right away. And the
possible side effects - ranging from diarrhea and
nausea to bronchitis, dizziness and delirium -
may offset the benefits. Elliott, the Council
Bluffs doctor, said if you have the flu and you
live with someone elderly or frail, you probably
should get him or her on an anti-flu drug. "But
for your average person," he said, "it's probably
not worth it."
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Could you have the flu?

• A normal body temperature is 98.6oF.
• A high temperature is a common symptom of the flu.

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Flu Hits Nebraska Hard On Holiday Weekend-summary
Many people like to go shopping the Friday after
Thanksgiving. But the flu hit this holiday
weekend and many people ended up going to the
hospital instead of the mall. Nebraska is one of
the hardest hit states this year. Many hospitals
have been flooded with flu patients. Some
hospitals saw double the amount of patients
Thanksgiving weekend. Most of them were coming in
with flu symptoms.Ten to twenty cases of
influenza are reported everyday. They expect it
to rise rapidly daily.Many people go to the ER
and have to wear masks so they dont catch the
flu as well, because it is spreading around and
becoming dangerous. All Health Officials say to
do is get a flu shot as soon as possible, wash
your hands regularly, and stay away from people
that have the flu. If you do get the flu get
plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.
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Ws and Implications

• Who? Omaha hospitals and Nebraska residents.
• What? Hospitals are getting too crowded because
  the flu has hit Nebraska incredibly hard.
• Why? When people go to the hospital for something
  other than the flu, most likely they will end up
  getting the flu.
• When? The flu season started in November, but it
  really hit during the Thanksgiving weekend.
• How does this affect me? My mom works in a
  hospital, and with all the flu going around, she
  caught it from her patients. Then she gave the
  flu to me and I missed some school because I was
  sick with the flu.
• How does this affect the state? Many people need
  medical attention and they arent getting the
  proper care because of the crowding in the
  waiting rooms and Emergency Rooms.
• How does this affect the nation? The flu is going
  from state to state and many people are traveling
  during the holidays so they take it to different
  people and places.
• How does this affect the world? Hundreds are
  being killed all around the world because of this
  epidemic, and in other countries they dont have
  the proper needs to take care of people with the
  flu so more people die.

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The worst may be yet to come By Mark
Andersen "It's pretty dramatic," Tim Timmons of
the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department
said after viewing Tuesday's numbers. "It's
higher already than it was for 1999-2000." At
the peak of the flu season in 1999-2000, 4.9
percent of people going into sentinel health care
providers in Lincoln had flu like illness. Last
week it was 6.4 percent. What the graph can't
show is what is happening this week. Flu already
may have peaked locally for the year, or it may
continue climbing, or it may dip and return
later. "We don't know when the peak will
occur," Timmons said. Nationally, it was the
earliest onset of heavy flu activity in the 27
years that records have been kept, according to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Saratoga Elementary School reported 10 percent of
its students absent Tuesday, said Kathy Karsting
of Lincoln Public Schools. Lux, Scott, Mickle and
Dawes middle schools had absentee rates of 6
percent to 7 percent. Most of the flu
identified in the United States this year is of
the strain H3N2 Fujian, named after the province
in China where it was first identified. Flu is
highly variable, and experts try to predict each
year which strains will prevail. This year's
vaccine protects against three strains, Influenza
A H3N2 Panama, Influenza A H1N1 New Caledonia,
and Influenza B Hong Kong. Fujian flu is
slightly different from its Panama cousin, but
CDC animal studies suggest the current vaccine
provides some protection and will at least lessen
symptoms. In past years, H3N2 has been
associated with higher rates of hospitalization
and higher mortality than some flu strains,
according to the CDC.
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Fujian flu also has been circulating widely in
Western Europe and Canada. It caused widespread
illness in Australia and New Zealand during their
winter season just ended. Production of this
year's vaccine was under way before the
Australian outbreak. While still not a pandemic,
the outbreak there was described as the country's
worst in five years. Children and adolescents
have been particularly affected, according to
press reports in Great Britain. Flu has killed up
to eight healthy British children, one report
said. Flu typically kills thousands every year.
Those at greatest risk are the elderly, very
young and chronically ill. "It's still a good
thing to get the flu vaccine," Timmons said.
People should get it now, especially if they are
over age 65, he said. "It takes a week to two
weeks to develop full immunity."
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People still can be immunized at the Health
Department, 3140 N St. Those with a Medicare Part
B card can receive the vaccine for free. For
others, it costs 15. The price is reduced for
low-income residents. No appointment is
necessary. Flu is a respiratory illness
characterized by fever, cough, chills, sore
throat, headache and muscle ache. Most people
will not need to see a medical provider they
should rest, drink plenty of fluids and take
over-the-counter medicines to relieve symptoms.
Those at higher risk should contact a health
care provider, Timmons said. "Most healthy
people will get over it, but they may be down
three, four or more days." Other than a flu
shot, the best way to protect yourself is with
good hand washing, Timmons said.
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The Worst May Be Yet to Come-summary
Influenza is spreading through Lancaster County
rapidly. Already 2.5 percent more have been
infected with the flu this year than last year.
This rise of influenza is the earliest season of
flu we have gotten in 27 years. They think this
flu was first recognized in a province in
China. The vaccine for the flu this year
prevents against Influenza A Panama, Influenza A
New Caledonia, and Influenza B Hong Kong. These
may not prevent the flu all the time but they
will lessen the symptoms and lower pain. Many
outbreaks have occurred in Australia but they are
not yet considered pandemics. Thousands are
killed by the flu every year, mostly affecting
elderly people with chronic disease, and some
infants. Tim Timmons of the Lancaster County
Health Department suggests people still get a flu
shot. The flu vaccine actually takes two weeks to
take full action, but it still helps.
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Ws and Implications

• Who? People from the rural area, the state area,
  the nation, and around the world.
• What? Influenza has spread around the world
  killing many people, and they think the worst
  hasnt even come yet.
• Why? The flu caught many people by surprise and
  came early, so thousands are sick.
• When? The flu season started in November, but the
  spread of Influenza increased greatly two weeks
  ago.
• How does this affect me?Since the flu has been
  going around I have caught it and it made me feel
  miserable.
• How does this affect the state? The hospitals are
  having trouble treating everyone and more people
  get sick everyday, so they are having a hard time
  keeping up.
• How does this affect the nation? The flu vaccine
  is on a shortage because of all the flu going
  around and many people wanting to get a flu shot
  before they catch it.
• How does this affect the world? A lot of
  outbreaks have occurred in other countries and
  they get sick worse because they dont have the
  right vaccines overseas.

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Does the flu shot really help?

• The vaccine is actually effective two weeks after
  the shot is given.
• There are many different types of Influenzas, but
  some are not prevented with this vaccination.

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Flu vaccine likely tight in U.S. this year,
too Reference article June 22, 2001 ATLANTA,
Georgia (CNN) -- Flu vaccine shipments are likely
to be delayed again this year, federal health
officials said Thursday during a meeting of the
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
This year, some 83.7 million people are expected
to seek flu vaccines. By the end of October, 53.5
million doses -- 64 percent of the amount
needed-- are expected to be available. Though
that is more than twice the 26.6 million doses
available at the same time last year, it is less
than the 75.8 million doses available by the end
of October 1999, when there was no delay. This
November and December, another 30.2 million doses
-- 36 percent of the projected 83.7 million
needed -- are likely to be available, though
officials said those numbers could change.
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 Flu vaccination typically peaks by early
November, but the disease peaks between December
and March. In 15 of the past 19 years, the
disease peaked between January and March,
indicating vaccination in November, December and
even later is usually effective, the advisory
committee said. The vaccine does not confer
protection until about two weeks after it is
administered. Public health officials seek to
give priority to people at highest risk of
complications -- those age 65 and older and
people with chronic illness, including heart and
lung diseases and diabetes. The ACIP recommended
high-risk people seek the vaccine in September or
October, or as soon as it is available. Those not
at high risk are urged to hold off getting their
shots until November or later. Though
manufacturers are working to increase production
capacity, it has fallen in recent years. In 1999,
four U.S. manufacturers were licensed to make
influenza vaccine today there are only three.
And one of them is still making production
changes to bring it into full compliance with
good manufacturing practices.
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Terry Perry-An Emergency Room Nurse

• About how many cases of Influenza have you seen
  in the past two weeks?
• Estimated, we have had over 100 cases of
  Influenza in the last two weeks.
• Has the rate of cases increased since then?
• It does seem like our cases are increasing daily.
• Is there any precautions your hospital in
  particular are taking for this epidemic?
• Our Emergency Department is placing symptomatic
  patients in masks, giving them Kleenex. We have
  signs posted around about covering your cough. We
  also put a waterless hand cleaner in the waiting
  room for patients or visitors to use to disinfect
  their hands.
• What are some things you would tell an Influenza
  patient to get better?
• I would tell them to drink lots of fluids, rest,
  and take Tylenol or Ibuprofen as directed. I
  would also tell them to stay home and wash their
  hands good.
• How has this affected the way you run your
  emergency room?
• The Emergency Department has been extremely busy,
  but really has not affected how we operate.

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More Questions

• Do you see mostly older patients with Influenza
  or mostly younger patients? Or is it both?
• The majority of patients we see are from 16-100
  years. We do see a few younger patients.
• Has your hospital had any deaths because of
  Influenza?
• I am not sure if there has been and deaths here
  due to Influenza, but other states have reported
  deaths.
• Is your staff taking any precautions to keep from
  catching the flu?
• Our staff are washing their hands, wearing a mask
  around contagious patients. I have had six staff
  members sick with upper respiratory infections.
• Have you notice any help if people get a flu
  shot?
• Yes, the flu shot should help protect people.
  Even if they get the flu shot it is suppose to be
  a lesser severity of symptoms.

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The last 5 Questions

• Would you recommend people to get a flu shot?
• I highly recommend everyone that is eligible.
• Would you recommend children get a flu shot?
• For the flu shot to get one from age 6 months and
  up.
• What are the symptoms of the flu?
• Flu symptoms are fever, body aches, chills, runny
  nose, cough, and headaches.
• What is Tamiflu?
• Tamiflu is an antiviral medication that if a
  person takes it within 48 hours from the onset of
  symptoms-it is suppose to help.
• How long does the flu season last?
• Flu season is usually December through March.

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Works Cited
Flu hits Nebraska hard on holiday weekend.
Retrieved December 3, 2003, from
http//www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg1642u_sid934
052. The worst may be yet to come. Retrieved
December 4,2003, from http//www.journalstar.com/l
ocal.php?story_id103320. Flu vaccine likely
tight in US this year, too. Retrieved December
14,2003, from http//www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/condi
tions/06/22/flu.vaccine/index.html
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Thats the end of the slide show thank you for
watching!