Thursday, January 24, 2013
Does a flu shot cause the flu? Do healthy people need a shot? Here are the answers to some myths
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Thursday, January 24
The flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family. However, misconceptions about vaccination persist. Here are seven common myths about vaccination: Flu Myth #1 A Flu Shot Causes the Flu No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get flu shots and others get salt-water shots, the only differences in symptoms was increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got …
Monday, January 14, 2013
The influenza virus is hitting hard this year and cases are at an all time high. Find out hot to stay healthy.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
The influenza virus is hitting hard this year and cases are at an all time high. Find out hot to stay healthy.
The New Year is off to a rough start as the flu virus continues to spread its way across the United States. In Illinois — Glen Ellyn included — as in most parts of the country, flu cases are at an all time high. The American Lung Association is strongly recommending people protect themselves, making sure to get a flu vaccine and taking preventative actions to stop the spread of germs. It is also recommending that those who get severely ill, particularly those who are part of high-risk groups, promptly seek antiviral treatments. “We can’t emphasize enough how important it is and how easy it is to provide your family with as much protection as possible by getting vaccinated against the flu,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the …
Monday, January 7, 2013
Illinois is considered to be experiencing one of the greatest flu outbreaks in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Flu season has peaked early at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, where physicians have not treated so many seriously ill flu patients since the Swine Flu epidemic in 2009. Illinois is considered to be experiencing one of the greatest flu outbreaks in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health. At Good Samaritan, this has resulted in more patients visiting the emergency room and being admitted for treatment, according to hospital officials. “There’s a lot of flu out there,” said Dr. David Beezhold, an infectious disease specialist on staff at Good Samaritan Hospital. “But there’s no need to panic. If you’re otherwise healthy, you’re likely to have a …
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
If you haven't had your flu vaccination yet this year, it's not too late. Cases of the flu are already rising above normal levels this year.
The holiday season is here and for most people it’s a very welcome time of year. Another season has also arrived that is not so welcome and has the ability to ruin most peoples’ holidays: the flu season. Officials are already saying the flu season is hitting hard in some parts of the country and people – particularly those most at risk – are being cautioned to get a flu shot if they haven’t already. December 2-8 is set aside as National Influenza Vaccination Week to highlight the importance of getting the flu vaccination. The South Central and Southeast regions of the country have reported the majority of cases and are reporting flu cases above the normal baselines, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention. But, in Region 5, …
