[Southsider2k12]

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=n...&id=8946325

January 8, 2013 (INDIANAPOLIS) -- Indiana is suffering from what some officials believe is the worst flu outbreak in years, and seven people have perished so far.

State health officials say the illness is spreading across Indiana sooner than usual this year. Respiratory epidemiologist Shawn Richards tells The Indianapolis Star most of the flu circulating now is an H3N2 virus that tends to be more severe than some other influenzas.

A weekly health department report on flu activity says five of those who died were older than 65 and two were under 18.The next report will be released Wednesday.

Dr. Michael McKenna tells WTHR that it's not too late for people to get flu shots. People develop immunity about two weeks after receiving the vaccine, and it protects against the strain that is circulating.

[Southsider2k12]

From the IN department of health, click the PDF and check out the spike this year in flu cases as compared to recent years.

http://www.in.gov/isdh/files/Weekly_Influe...2_2012_2013.pdf

[Ang]

Well, in Chicago, several hospitals are so full of flu patients they are turning ambulances away. And in PA, they are erecting tent cities for all the flu victims.

Crazy! I didn't get a flu shot this year. I never do. Hopefully I don't end up regretting that decision.

[Commuter]

I had a bad fever for a few days and it's STILL lingering in the form of a mild night-time cough. One of the worst I can remember because it just lingers.

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.jconline.com/article/20130109/L...n-Indiana-rises

Flu season is here. And it’s ahead of schedule.

Statewide, influenza-like illnesses are higher than they typically are this time of year — and Greater Lafayette is no exception.

The death toll in Indiana is 10, state officials said Wednesday, up from seven at this time last week. Eight of those who died were older than 50, and two were under 18.

There’s no specific reason for the flu’s early arrival, said Dr. Thomas Meyer, an infectious disease physician at IU Health Arnett. “It just varies from year to year.”

Meyer said the first few flu cases at IU Health Arnett were in October. Cases peaked in December.

All of the 600 adult doses of the flu vaccine at the Tippecanoe County Health Department were gone by mid-December, said Donella Carter, the nursing and vital records supervisor. She said the vaccines arrived early and are still available for children.

New Community School, an independent public charter school for kindergarten to seventh grade in Lafayette, closed a day early for winter break.

On Dec. 20, about 35 students were out with the flu, and then about 10 more went home sick, said Scott Fields, the school’s executive director.

That meant more than 20 percent of students were out sick with the flu.

Fields said the school has closed before due to flu, but it’s been a few years. He said the closing was for safety reasons.

Although Fields recommended that students get flu shots, he said it’s not required.

“Different parents have different perspectives about vaccines,” he said.

Barbara Schafer of Lafayette, she said she doesn’t get a flu shot because she doesn’t want to put unneeded drugs in her system. She said she stays healthy by bundling up when she goes outside and staying active by walking in downtown Lafayette.

But those who work in health care stress that a flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu. Carter said it’s never too late for a flu shot.

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll.../130119685/1005

Indiana flu deaths rise to 27 in ongoing outbreak

From The Associated Press
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 - 11:14 am

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana health officials say the state's ongoing flu outbreak has claimed 27 lives, with 17 of those deaths reported during the past week.

Wednesday's flu update from the State Department of Health says 20 of the people who have died in Indiana had underlying medical conditions such as heart disease.

Two of the state's flu fatalities were under age 18.

The state health department says nine of the 27 people who have died in Indiana from flu-related causes had received flu vaccine shots.

The agency says it sent a newsletter to Indiana's long-term care facilities last week with suggestions on steps to decrease the spread of the flu and reminding them to offer staff and residents the flu vaccine.

[Southsider2k12]

Why this years flu is so bad... video at link...

http://www.reuters.com/video/2013/01/16/wh...;videoChannel=1

[Southsider2k12]

From the LP Co Health Department

CDC is reporting flu deaths are higher than expected. We are having a more severe flu season than in recent years but we have seen this before says new State Health Commissioner William VanNess II, M.D. First line of defense is to get a flu shot. In a report last week, the CDC said the 2012/2013 influenza vaccine was about 62% effective. Still reporting H3N2 to be the most predominant thus far.

Symptoms of flu:
high fever, headache, fatigue, cough, muscles aches, and sore throat.

Help reduce the spread of flu by thorough and frequent hand washing, covering your cough with a tissue or your sleeve and staying home when you are sick.