Influenza cases on the rise in SC

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   Influenza cases on the rise in SC
Health officials say there is still time to get vaccinated

Published: Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 3:15 a.m. 
Last Modified: Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 11:08 p.m.

As more cases of the flu break out, state health officials are making a renewed push for flu vaccinations.

S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reports the number of cases and hospitalizations have increased dramatically as the state enters peak flu season.

Most of those cases reported are the common influenza variety and not the pandemic H1N1 virus, a new strain that broke out last year.
Eight South Carolinians have died from flu-related illness since October, but overall flu levels for the season are lower than last year statewide, according to DHEC. Health care providers reported 12,551 positive rapid flu tests to DHEC through the end of January. For the same period last year, 18,894 cases were reported.
In the Upstate, Spartanburg County reported 844 flu cases, Cherokee County reported 59 cases and Union County reported 43 cases.
“We have been fairly normal for this time of year after we had a spike in the number of cases between Christmas and New Year's,” said Chad Lawson, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System spokesman. “The flu vaccines that were provided this year have helped protect against H1N1.”
The vaccinations are the simplest way to guard against the influenza virus. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated annually.

“The best way to protect yourself against the flu is to get a flu shot,” said DHEC spokesman Adam Myrick. “Other everyday actions that people can take are those old-fashioned tips that grandma used to get on to us about: Wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and stay home from work when you're sick.”
Myrick also said parents should keep their children home from school or day are when they are sick.
Elizabeth MacArthur, public information coordinator for DHEC Public Health Region 2, said flu shots are readily available at the Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union county health departments.
Private providers, including most chain drugstores in the Upstate, also stock flu vaccines. They are available in either shot or nasal spray form.
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20110206/ARTICLES/102061023/1001/sports02?p=1&tc=pg

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Jen147 Forum Moderator Joined: August 28 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6756	Topic: Influenza cases on the rise in SC Posted: February 06 2011 at 11:07am
	Influenza cases on the rise in SC Health officials say there is still time to get vaccinated Published: Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 3:15 a.m. Last Modified: Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 11:08 p.m. As more cases of the flu break out, state health officials are making a renewed push for flu vaccinations. S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reports the number of cases and hospitalizations have increased dramatically as the state enters peak flu season. Most of those cases reported are the common influenza variety and not the pandemic H1N1 virus, a new strain that broke out last year. Eight South Carolinians have died from flu-related illness since October, but overall flu levels for the season are lower than last year statewide, according to DHEC. Health care providers reported 12,551 positive rapid flu tests to DHEC through the end of January. For the same period last year, 18,894 cases were reported. In the Upstate, Spartanburg County reported 844 flu cases, Cherokee County reported 59 cases and Union County reported 43 cases. “We have been fairly normal for this time of year after we had a spike in the number of cases between Christmas and New Year's,” said Chad Lawson, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System spokesman. “The flu vaccines that were provided this year have helped protect against H1N1.” The vaccinations are the simplest way to guard against the influenza virus. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated annually. “The best way to protect yourself against the flu is to get a flu shot,” said DHEC spokesman Adam Myrick. “Other everyday actions that people can take are those old-fashioned tips that grandma used to get on to us about: Wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and stay home from work when you're sick.” Myrick also said parents should keep their children home from school or day are when they are sick. Elizabeth MacArthur, public information coordinator for DHEC Public Health Region 2, said flu shots are readily available at the Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union county health departments. Private providers, including most chain drugstores in the Upstate, also stock flu vaccines. They are available in either shot or nasal spray form. http://www.goupstate.com/article/20110206/ARTICLES/102061023/1001/sports02?p=1&tc=pg
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Jen147 Forum Moderator Joined: August 28 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6756	Posted: March 09 2011 at 7:22am
	Flu is still widespread in SC 03.08.2011 COLUMBIA (WACH) -- As the flu season is beginning to wind down officials say they continue to see a lot of patients with flu like symptoms across the state. Jim Beasley with the Department of Health and Environmental Control says, "based on recent data the flu is still widespread in South Carolina". The last week in February physicians reported more than 4,600 positive test results and 123 hospitalizations and one confirmed death to DHEC. The state's flu season usually peaks around February and declines as the temperatures and humidity rises. But Beasley adds in 2009 the H1N1 virus continued to cause illness into the summer months and DHEC officials urge everyone to get their flu shot if they have not been vaccinated. They say they've seen significant cases of type B influenza and the H3N2 this season. This year's flu vaccine covers those three strains. While there is a small percentage of the swine flu cases officials say most people have avoided the virus by getting their vaccine or they have built up immunity since the H1N1 is no longer a new virus. http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=590405
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