MEDFORD, Ore.—Jan. 6, 2014—Across the nation, hospitals are reporting that flu season is here, and it is definitely the case in Southern Oregon. The emergency departments at Asante are reporting a definite increase in the number of people coming in with flu-like symptoms and testing positive for the flu. Asante is encouraging everyone who has not been vaccinated to get their flu shots as soon as possible. It is not too late. Vaccine is effective two weeks after the shot, and flu season can continue into March.
Flu Cases at Asante – At Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center In October and November there was only one confirmed case of influenza, but in December, out of 151 people tested for flu in the emergency room, 48 tested positive. There were also 102 inpatients tested for the flu and 11 were positive for a total of 69 flu cases. 98 percent of the confirmed cases in December were the A-H1N1flu.
At Asante Three Rivers Medical Center there have been 43 confirmed influenza cases, 42 of them in the ED and one direct admit, and all but one were A-H1N1. The patients were predominantly young and middle-aged adults.
The majority of all positive flu tests were in the last week of December, ER physicians reported.
Though there was a “spike” in flu cases, it was not enough to put a strain on the emergency departments, which see over 100 patients a day and over 39,000 a year.
H1N1 – The majority of reported flu cases are the H1N1. However, this year’s flu vaccine includes H1N1, so it will protect people. Without a flu shot, the chances of getting the flu are 1 in 20, with the vaccine, chances are well over 1 in 100.
The CDC has issued a health advisory that they have received a number of reports of severe respiratory illness among young and middle-aged adults, many of whom were infected with influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 (pH1N1) virus (the pdm and p stands for pandemic). The pH1N1 virus that emerged in 2009 caused more illness in children and young adults, compared to older adults. Again, it is important to get vaccinated.
More CDC information can be found at: http://emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/han00359.asp.
During flu season, Asante encourages everyone to follow these hygiene guidelines from the CDC:
- Avoid close contact – Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- Stay home when you are sick – If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
- Cover your mouth and nose – Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Clean your hands – Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth – Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Practice other good health habits – Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
For important information about the flu and getting vaccinated, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.
Visit our Media Center – Asante.org: http://www.asante.org/about-us/news/
About Asante – Asante is a local, community owned and governed, not-for-profit organization that provides comprehensive medical care to more than 550,000 people in a nine-county area of Southern Oregon and Northern California. It includes Asante Ashland Community Hospital, a 49-bed hospital in Ashland, Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, a 378-bed hospital in Medford; Asante Three Rivers Medical Center, a 125-bed hospital in Grants Pass; Asante Physician Partners, a group of primary care and specialty physicians providing coordinated, high quality care; and additional healthcare partnerships throughout the region.
Posted December 6, 2014