[Pepper]

POSTED: 3:56 pm EST November 30, 2004
UPDATED: 8:57 am EST December 1, 2004

If You Get It, Don't Spread It, Health Officials Say

The first cases of flu have been reported in the Tri-state, and we're still weeks away from the peak of flu season.

Seven cases of influenza have been reported at the Northern Kentucky Health District, and one case has been reported in southwestern Ohio. Four of the cases involve kids.

While health officials say this is no cause for panic, they are sending out some warnings, News 5's Sheree Paolello reported.

"Now that the flu is here, we're really in a time crunch because it takes a few weeks to develop good immunity," said Dr. Steve Englender of the Cincinnati Health Department.

Because of the severe vaccine shortage, Englender said many nursing homes are just getting vaccine. Northern Kentucky is fresh out, and the city of Cincinnati is waiting for more.

"If you're sick, stay home. Don't spread the flu," Englender said, "because there could be people out there who didn't get the vaccine who could have very severe consequences."

Sara Lopez knows just how severe.

Last year her daughter was hospitalized with the flu, and she was only 3 months old.,

"It's scary because she was so young last year," Lopez said. "They didn't know how she was doing. They had her hooked up to IV's and everything."

So follow mom's advice:

· Wash your hands.

· Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

· And if you're sick, stay home.

Once the flu season peaks, it will last at least six weeks.

http://www.channelcincinnati.com/health/3959279/detail.html

[CanadaSue]

I'll see if I can find any indication of what strain(s) is/are involved. If kids continue to be the principle victims, I'd lean to the currently circulating B strain or A/Wellington - haven't heard of the latter being found yet.

ON another notes our local Public Health nit just released its annual report. We have a district population, (their coverage area) of roughly 155k people. 108K doses of flu vax were given. Even allowing for the fact that kids need 2 smaller doses, that's a great uptake - best we've ever had & it was up 20% from the previous year.

We saw little flu last year & for a change there were fewer delays of inpatient & outpatient procedures & surgeriesa & few schools reported significant absenteeism - there were a few but not many due to glu.

[Tropicalfish]

My 17 yr old daughter came down sick yesterday. She has a temp of 100.5°F, diarrhea, sore throat, hacking cough, and a general all over hurting. Does this sound like the flu? I started her on Elderberry and Vitamin C. What else should I be doing for her if it is the flu? She started taking the Elderberry as soon as I noticed she had some fever, but she sure isn't feeling any better. :(

[Pepper]

My 17 yr old daughter came down sick yesterday. She has a temp of 100.5°F, diarrhea, sore throat, hacking cough, and a general all over hurting. Does this sound like the flu? I started her on Elderberry and Vitamin C. What else should I be doing for her if it is the flu? She started taking the Elderberry as soon as I noticed she had some fever, but she sure isn't feeling any better. :(

Sure sounds possible, Tropicalfish. Wouldn't a doctor have to do blood work to find out for sure? Or at least find out what stain? Hopefully Sue will be back soon and answer your question. Sure hope your daughter gets well soon. If she does have the flu and you find out what stain, please let us know.

Pepper