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Flu-related
hospitalizations continue to climb in Ohio and in US
COLUMBUS, January 11,
2013: Flu activity remains a concern across Ohio as well as
across the country this winter. The
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reminds all Ohioans that
it's not too late to get vaccinated against the flu.
Influenza data released
today by ODH indicates that there have been 1,922
influenza-associated hospitalizations reported so far this flu
season. That total number compares to 175 in the 2010-11 season
and 86 in the 2011-12 season. One influenza-associated pediatric
death has been recently reported. Last season, no pediatric
deaths were reported, and one was reported in the 2010-11
season.
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Michigan reports 4th child flu death this season
LANSING,
Jan. 9, 2013 (AP): Health officials say the number of Michigan
children reported dead from the flu this season has risen to four.
The
Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Daily Tribune of Royal Oak and TV
stations WXYZ and WDIV report that the Michigan Department of
Community Health says a 15-year-old from central Michigan has died
from the flu. He's identified as Lake Fenton High School freshman
Joshua Polehna.
Earlier
deaths have involved a 6-year-old and a 6-month-old from
southwestern Michigan and a 13-year-old from central Michigan.
The flu
is a contagious respiratory illness with symptoms that include
fever, headache, fatigue, cough, stuffy or runny nose and muscle
aches.
Online:
Seasonal flu information from the state:
http://1.usa.gov/ZJ4fSi
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“Flu season got an early
start in Ohio but it’s not too late to get your flu
vaccination,” said Dr. Ted Wymyslo, Director of ODH. “We
also want to help Ohioans understand more about the protection
offered by the flu vaccine. There are a lot of myths out there,
such as the misconception that the flu shot makes you sick.”
Disease experts outline
several reasons why people may commonly link the influenza
vaccination to their illness:
• It takes about two weeks to build up immunity so you could
catch a flu virus in the meantime.
• You could get a virus that is not in the flu vaccine although
the strains we are seeing seem to be a good match for the
vaccine. There are also many non-flu viruses circulating in Ohio
this time of year including some that cause colds or stomach
illnesses (like Norovirus).
• The vaccination doesn’t give every person 100 percent immunity
to those flu strains. Everyone's body is different. However,
many times having a flu vaccination can reduce the severity of
the flu and can also help curb the spread of flu from person to
person.
“We’re hearing from our local health departments and also
private distributors that Ohio has an adequate supply of flu
vaccine still available,” said Wymyslo.
In addition to getting a
flu vaccination, ODH and CDC offer the following tips to help
you stay healthy this flu season:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based
sanitizer when you are unable to wash.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often
spread this way.
• If you get sick, stay home from work and keep sick children
home from school or child care.
• Get plenty of rest. Sleep is shown to help your body fight off
illness.
• Keep your body healthy: eat a balanced diet including plenty
of vegetables, fruits and whole grain products; drink plenty of
water and go easy on salt, sugar, alcohol and saturated fat; and
exercise regularly because 30 or more minutes of physical
activity most days of the week can help boost your immunity.
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