Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Does a flu shot cause the flu? Do healthy people need a shot? Here are the answers to some myths
- OPINION
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Wednesday, January 23
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 …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
CDC reports flu is widespread and continuing to increase.
- OPINION
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Tuesday, January 15
By Amanda Luevano, Downers Grove Patch The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the flu is now widespread and the number of cases are continuing to increase. “Reports of influenza-like-illness (ILI) are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons,” according to Dr. Joe Bresee. Breese advises it is not too late to get a flu shot. “Anyone who has not already been vaccinated should do so now,” Bresee said in a released statement. “And it’s important to remember that people who have severe influenza illness, or who are at high risk of serious influenza-related complications, should get treated with influenza antiviral medications if they get flu symptoms regardless of whether or not they got …
Tuesday, January 8, 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.
By Amanda Luevano, Downers Grove Patch 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 …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The number of flu cases reported in the Chicago area is higher now than it was at this point in 2011. Here's where to get an influenza vaccine in Wheaton, how to recognize symptoms and what to know about treatment if you get sick.
Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States: This time last year, flu cases were lower in Chicago than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. (Wheaton-specific data is not available on Flu Trends.) Overall in Illinois, activity is considered high now, while it was considered moderate at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends. If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in Wheaton that offer the vaccine: Find more locations here. According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase across the country. Five states—Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee—are reporting flu rates not normally seen until January, according to the Centers for …
Twiglet
9:36 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I'm allergic to eggs so unable to have the shot and yes I got the flu this year! The flu virus is grown in chicken eggs and magnifies the egg part so it would be like eating hundreds of eggs for me. The shot is wonderful for most people, but if you have been very sick after getting a flu shot before you might want to check with your Dr or allergist. In my case a flu shot could be fatal! more ›