Friday, February 1, 2013
Flu cases are starting to fall in Pennsylvania but plenty of other illnesses still are going around.
If it feels like everyone you know is or has been sick lately, it's probably because they have. This year's flu season actually hasn't been terrible, said Dr. David Damsker. But legions of other viruses have been circulating along with the flu, making it a bad season overall for illness. "This is probably the worst non-flu respiratory season I’ve seen in a long time," said Damsker, who is head of the Bucks County Department of Health, based in Doylestown. "We’ve had more people sick this year than in any recent year I can remember. There’s so much going around." Among this season's culprits are norovirus, coronavirus and adenoviruses, Damsker said. Norovirus is a stomach bug which causes vomiting and diarrhea. Coronaviruses typically …
Monday, January 14, 2013
Statistics released from the state Department of Health show flu cases continue to rise locally and across Pennsylvania.
The number of flu cases in the Bucks-Montgomery County area and throughout Pennsylvania spiked in early January as health officials continue to deal with one of the worst flu outbreaks in years. Flu season is so bad this year that Allmed Comprehensive Care Center in Bensalem has implemented stricter protocols for patients that arrive at the urgent care clinic with flu-like symptoms. "We are separating them in the waiting room and asking those who come in with symptoms to wear masks," said Robert Baca, an administrator at the care center. "Last Saturday I saw 30 people come in with symptoms over a four hour period." The state reported there were 18 influenza-related deaths the first week of January, bringing to 22 the total number of flu-…
Friday, December 14, 2012
Flu cases in Pennsylvania have gone from sporadic to widespread, state health officials warn.
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Friday, December 14, 2012
The Department of Health says influenza activity has risen significantly across Pennsylvania since Thanksgiving. The Department of Health is reporting flu activity has increased from sporadic to widespread throughout the state, meaning at least half of the state’s regions are experiencing outbreaks of influenza or increases in influenza-like illness. The flu has appeared earlier this year than in most flu seasons, as widespread activity usually is not seen until January. The number of cases reported to the department more than doubled in the past week. “If you decided to wait, now is the perfect time to get vaccinated against the flu,” Acting Secretary of Health Michael Wolf said. “Ensuring that you and your family get vaccinated will …
