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Bad Flu Season Likely Has Not Peaked Yet

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Influenza is now widespread across Pennsylvania and it doesn’t appear the season has slowed down yet.  More than 11 thousand lab confirmed flu cases have been reported, with many more coming in each week.  That compares   to just over three thousand cases for all of the last flu season.

Holli Senior of the Pennsylvania Department of Health says they’re hoping the numbers will peak in the next few weeks.  She adds we’re seeing more cases involving one particular strain, the Influenza A H3N2 strain, which is also associated with more severe cases, especially among the elderly. There have been nearly one thousand hospitalizations and 22 deaths blamed on complications from the flu in Pennsylvania this year.

Senior says people can still get a flu shot to protect themselves and others.  This strain is covered in the vaccine.   She adds that even if you got a flu shot, you should still take precautions, such as washing your hands and staying home if you have flu like symptoms. The effectiveness of the vaccine is affected by whether a person has underlying health conditions and other factors.

The department has been providing free flu shots at the Farm Show in Harrisburg.  For those who cannot make it to Harrisburg, Senior says there’s a flu vaccine finder at flufreepa.com. If you still need help getting a flu shot, call 1-877-PA Health.

Flu Season Arrives in Pennsylvania

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Flu season has made an earlier than usual arrival in Pennsylvania.  The  State Health Department says the number of cases has doubled in the last week.  The state is reporting widespread flu activity.

The state is also seeing more Type A influenza H3N2 cases, which are often linked to more severe flu seasons.  It is also associated with more complications from flu. Health officials are encouraging people to get a flu shot.  They say it’s not too late.  However, it takes 10 to 14 days for the vaccination to reach its full protective effect.

People with flu symptoms should consult with their physician. Anti-viral medications can reduce the severity of the flu, but their effectiveness depends on how soon they’re given after symptoms begin.

Usually, Pennsylvania does not see this amount of flu activity until after the holiday season. People are encouraged to practice good hygiene habits, such as hand washing, when attending holiday get togethers to help avoid the spread of the flu.

 

New Flu Strain Turns Up Again In Pennsylvania

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More than 200 cases of a pig-related flu have been confirmed in several states and Pennsylvania is now among them.   The State health department has four confirmed cases and 6 probable cases of the H3N2v flu. The cases occurred among youth participants in the Huntingdon County Fair and were mild.

Cases in other states have been linked to recent contact with pigs, mostly at agricultural fairs. Acting state Physician General Dr. Stephen Ostroff says Pennsylvania was already watching for it  after the rise in cases in Indiana and Ohio. Last year, there were only 13 cases of H3N2v flu in the United States.

Health officials say people attending agriculture fairs are advised to wash their hands after visiting areas with live animals and avoid taking food or drink into animal exhibit areas.  People at high risk for flu complications should consider avoiding live pig displays.  Although the flu has been linked to live pigs, health officials say that handling or eating pork products presents no risk of exposure.

Pennsylvania had three cases last year.  Currently, there is no vaccine for this strain of flu.

State Offers Vaccination Clinics to Help School Children Meet Deadline

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Time is running out for school kids who are not up to date with new immunization regulations that took effect last August.  The state is trying to help families comply before the grace period runs out.

The provisional period will soon be coming to an end for students who don’t have a second dose of the chicken pox vaccine and for 7th graders who did not get a Tdap (Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis) vaccination or the MCV vaccine for meningitis.  

Clinics are being held across the state to provide those vaccinations for students who are not in compliance for the current school year.  Heather Stafford, director of the Division of Immunization for the state Health Department, says families must register by March 30th.  The shots will be given free of charge. For more information go to padohclinicappt.com or call 877 PA-Health.

Stafford says they don’t know how many children are not in compliance.  She says it varies county by county.  She adds there may also be cases where the paperwork has not made it back to the school nurse’s desk yet. They do know there are some counties have larger percentages than others.

Stafford says Pennsylvania does allow for a religious or philosophical exemption.  This requires a statement written by the parent or guardian be provided to the school.  The state also allows for medical exemptions, which require a statement written by a physician.

The clinics are free of charge.  Students attending one should bring current vaccination records and those under 18 should be accompanied by a parent or a guardian.

Smokers Encouraged to Kick the Habit for Valentine’s Day- State Offers Free Help

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The state Health department is urging smokers to “Quit for Love” for Valentine’s Day.   Nicotine replacement therapy kits and counseling support are being offered free of charge to Pennsylvania residents who are trying to quit using tobacco.

The kits will be available for six to eight weeks, or while supplies last,  through the free quit line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.  Judy Ochs, director of the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program for the state Health Department, says it’s a good time to get healthier and protect your loved ones from second hand smoke.

Ochs says it usually takes 5 to 8 tries before a smoker succeeds at quitting, but the combination of NRT with coaching doubles the possibility the tobacco user will be able to stay tobacco free.

Ochs says this is the second year for the “Quit for Love” program.  She says they gave out over 6 thousand kits the last time, and over 30% of the people who participated in the free coaching and NRT have remained tobacco free.

Ochs says people can take advantage of the offer by calling the quit line and answering some questions.  After a medical screening, they will be mailed the Nicotine Replacement Therapy kits and will have a series of telephone counseling sessions.

Ochs says quitting really does take practice, but  NRT with counseling can give the person who is ready to make the quit attempt a really good opportunity to go tobacco free.

Ochs says within hours of going tobacco free, your body will begin feeling the effects of the health benefits.

You can also learn more about the state’s smoking cessation resources at DeterminedToQuit.com.

The free NRT kits are funded through Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement funds as well as a federal grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ochs says for every dollar spent on smoking cessation, over 3 dollars in health savings can be realized.

Smoking cessation efforts have reduced Pennsylvania’s adult tobacco use rate from 25% to 18%.

 

Third Annual Report Shows Progress on Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections

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Pennsylvania hospitals are making progress on reducing some healthcare associated infections according to the third annual report from state health officials.   There was a decline in the overall number of health care associated infections in 2010.  There was significant improvement in reducing infections in two areas; catheter associated urinary tract infections and central line blood stream infections.

Central line blood stream infections, the most costly and potentially serious, were down 24% in 2010 compared to 2009.  Catheter associated urinary tract infections were down 13%.   But the report looked at surgical site infections for the first time on a hospital-specific level and the numbers indicated they’re not going down as quickly as other categories.

Dr. Stephen Ostroff, acting Pennsylvania Physician General, says there are certain things to be done, such as reviewing the way catheters are inserted, the way they’re maintained and removing them as soon as possible without affecting patient care. He adds hand washing is also critical. He says hospitals have been working to decrease infections and their associated costs.  

Dr. Ostroff calls the drop in central line blood steam  infections very significant.  But he believes we have to strengthen efforts to reduce the number of surgical site infections and get them on the decline as well.

The report was required under 2007 legislation.  In addition, the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council and the Patient Safety Authority also review healthcare associated infection data. You can see the report at the Health Department’s web site under the “What’s Hot” section.

Pennsylvania Health Department Warns of Potential Mold Growth in Flooded Properties

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State Health officials are reminding people who’ve suffered flood damage to get their homes and businesses dried out as quickly as possible.   Damp conditions can be a breeding ground for mold, and it can grow it as little as two days after flooding occurs. 

Spokeswoman Christine Cronkright says porous materials can trap mold, so you should dispose of damaged items such as paper, ceiling tiles, wallboard, sheetrock, and carpeting.

You should clean and disinfect damp areas and keep them well ventilated, allowing them to dry naturally to kill all molds.   Cronkright says make sure you protect yourself while cleaning moldy areas. This means wearing gloves, such as rubber dishwashing gloves and using a mask or respirator to minimize exposure.

Use non-ammonia soap or detergent or a commercial cleaner in hot water to clean flood-damaged areas.  Disinfect with a solution of no more than one cup of bleach in one gallon of water.  Never mix bleach with ammonia, because the fumes are toxic.

Cronkright says sheetrock should be removed to at least 12” above the high water mark.  You should allow the area to dry for at least 2 to 3 days before replacing any damaged materials. Make sure you check all areas that may have become wet, including ceiling tiles and wallboard.

Don’t forget to document all of your flood damage before cleaning, taking photos of the damaged areas of your property.

Mold spores in large numbers can cause allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems. People who are at higher risk from the effects of mold include infants and children, senior citizens, people with compromised immune systems, pregnant women and people with existing respiratory conditions.

For more information, resources and tips for clean up after floods, visit the department’s website and click on “PA Post-Flooding Information and Resources”.