[ad_1]
Forget about the hunting season, it's the flu season – the two most feared words.
Cases of influenza viruses have already begun to appear throughout the region. Health officials at several medical centers in the region said the number of cases was low, but that they were still taking every precaution to protect communities from strains of the flu virus.
Janene Dunn, Communications Specialist for Upper Allegheny Health System, parent organization of the Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital, said that none of the facilities had yet received of the influenza virus case, but was nevertheless ready.
Gail Bagazzoli, registered nurse and vice president of quality for Upper Allegheny, said: "BRMC and OGH have not seen any positive flu test yet. We currently offer influenza vaccines to our hospitalized patients during their stay. "
Bagazzoli added that no health facilities have found a vaccine shortage.
Julie Kenyon, Director of Infection Control Services and Patient Safety Officer at OGH, said it was very difficult to predict the flu season because the flu virus was spreading at a rate, a different severity and duration each year.
"I can not speak for the community, but OGH and BRMC employees protect our patients by receiving the flu vaccine as part of our annual flu plan," said Kenyon.
According to Kenyon, the Center for Disease Control recommends that all health care workers receive the vaccine to prevent exposing patients to the flu.
Kenyon also offered tips for surviving the flu season.
"The best way to protect yourself against the flu is to get the vaccine. Influenza vaccines are safe for children over 6 months of age in adulthood. For the 2018-2019 season, the nasal spray flu vaccine has been approved for non-pregnant individuals and those aged 2 to 49 years. "
Kenyon said that the protection of the body can take up to two weeks after vaccination and recommends getting vaccinated as soon as possible.
"Other ways to protect yourself from the flu are hand washing, good respiratory etiquette – cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze – avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes keep the frequently touched surfaces clean by using disinfectant wipes that kill the flu virus and avoid sick people, "she said.
Keeping in mind that flu is a virus, antibiotics are ineffective against it.
Kenyon recommends drinking lots of fluids, resting and coughing in case of illness.
For her part, Holly Shok, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Penn Highlands Healthcare, said, "According to Penn Highlands Healthcare's laboratory services, there has been one case of influenza in the four-hospital system up to the end of the year. now this flu season. "
PHH operates hospitals in Brookville, Clearfield, DuBois and St. Marys.
According to Rhonda Chilson, Registered Nurse and Director of Quality Control / Infections at Penn
Highlands Elk, influenza vaccine composition is reviewed annually and updated to match influenza viruses in circulation. Chilson said influenza vaccines protect from three to four viruses, which research says will be the most common.
According to Dr. Amy Kelly, of Penn Highlands Family Medicine at Emporium, the
The influenza vaccine is the first way to protect yourself against the flu each year.
"The flu can be very serious or even deadly. Getting vaccinated can save lives
for children, older adults and those with other health problems, "explained Kelly.
Kelly recommends that anyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated against the flu.
annually, in accordance with the guidelines established by the CDC, which are followed
throughout Penn Highlands Healthcare.
Kari Kurtz, of UPMC Cole in Coudersport, said the staff had witnessed three cases of the influenza A virus and three cases of the influenza B virus since September.
She said: "Influenza vaccines have been modified every year to fight against viral viruses. The seasonal flu vaccine has been designed to protect us from the three to four influenza viruses most likely to spread and cause disease among the population of our community. "
UPMC Cole is fully vaccinated and Kurtz explained the different tactics used to keep the community healthy.
So far this year, according to Kurtz, UPMC Cole has vaccinated 1,854 adults and children (aged 6 months and older) with the standard influenza vaccine, 12 adults and children (aged 2 years and older) with FluMist and 1,176 adults over 40 years old. 65 with the high-dose influenza vaccine.
Kurtz noted that the majority of vaccines were given in September and October.
For more information on influenza and how to prevent it, visit www.cdc.gov/flu
Source link
