Thursday, January 31, 2013
A new norovirus strain was detected last year in Australia and has reached the United States.
Although the flu is on everyone’s minds this season, the winter vomiting bug, or the norovirus, is also making its rounds. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the norovirus causes about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths each year, mostly in young children and the elderly. Some of the virus' common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. The CDC points out that the norovirus is often referred to as the stomach flu, but it is unrelated to influenza. “The norovirus, which many people call the stomach flu, is widespread this year,” said Katinka Podmaniczky, assistant director of communications for the Boston Public Health Commission. “We encourage everyone to take simple …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The Red Cross says that flue outbreaks are earlier than normal in the area.
Flu season is upon us. Alan Balsam, Director of Public Health and Human Services, said that there have been 37 confirmed cases of influenza in Brookline. “I imagine there are more than just 37 people with the flu, but usually people fight it on their own. These cases are the ones that have been reported and people have been seen by doctors.” Boston Mayor Thomas Menino declared a health emergency due to Boston's flu outbreak. There were over 700 reported cases in the city this flu season, according to the Boston Public Health Commission. That's 10 times the average number of cases last year, according to WBUR. For Brookline, 37 cases is higher than normal, almost double the numbers from last year, but Balsam said it is “nothing to panic …
Outbreaks are earlier than normal in the area.
The Red Cross said there's still time for folks to get flu shots and be covered from what is considered to be a more active flu season. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said flu outbreaks are high for this time of the season, with "widespread activity" in Massachusetts. How do you prevent the flu? According to the CDC, in addition to getting the vaccine, you can: How do you know if you have the virus? Symptoms include: high fever, severe body aches, headache, being extremely tired, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and vomiting and/or diarrhea (which is more common in children). When should you call the doctor? According to the Red Cross, if you think you have the flu, your doctor should be consulted immediately if you …
