Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The flu is making the rounds. Are you staying home with it?
Local hospitals are seeing spikes in flu cases and the Red Cross is seeing widespread cases of the flu. But, if you’re one of those people sick with the flu or with another illness, are you staying home from work? In some jobs, increased pressure to get projects complete can result in people going to work while sick. That can make it take longer to get healthy, and potentially leave coworkers infected as well. Not to mention, your illness can make others in the office uncomfortable as they listen to your sniffles and sneezes and hope they don't pick up what ails you. Infecting your coworkers isn’t an issue if you work from home, or can work from home when you're sick. But some jobs don’t offer that option, or paid sick leave, which …
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Flu season is upon us, and strong, officials say.
This week, the Red Cross called cases of the flu "widespread," while Boston officials on Wednesday declared the flu outbreak a public health emergency. Is this just another flu season — akin to past winters when H1N1 or norovirus flared up? Or is it more than just a bunch of hype? Some towns in the area are reporting that they're out of flu vaccine. Have you gotten a flu shot this year? Or do you not see the point? Tell us what you think — is the flu getting too much hype? Or does the headline-hogging flu deserve the attention?
Thursday, January 10, 2013
A health emergency’s been declared in Boston, and there are at least a dozen cases here in Lexington.
The flu’s been in the news quite a bit lately. First the Red Cross reported flu cases were “widespread,” then Boston Mayor Tom Menino went and declared the flu outbreak a health emergency after his city saw a tenfold increase in flu cases over last year. Here in Lexington, there have been 12 confirmed cases of flu so far in January, according to Public Health Director Gerard Cody. “Communities across Massachusetts are reporting increased amounts of flu-like illness,” Cody said, “And hospitals, community health centers and health care providers are seeing higher volumes of flu patients in their facilities.” Vaccination remains the best protection against the flu, according to Cody, who said 2,445 residents have been vaccinated at clinics…
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Friday, December 14, 2012
Here's where to get an influenza vaccine, how to recognize symptoms and what to know about treatment if you get sick.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
- John Ness
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Friday, December 14, 2012
Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States: This time last year, flu cases were lower in the Boston area than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. (Lexington-specific data is not available on Flu Trends.) Overall in Massachusetts, activity is considered high now, while it was considered low at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends. If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in Lexington the HealthMap Vaccine Finder has identified that offer the vaccine (besides your own doctor, of course): CVS Pharmacy Lexington Walgreens More locations We know there are other places, including your doctor's offices and employers, so feel free to add your go-to flu shot spot in the comment section …
Friday, February 17, 2012
Flu activity may be off to a late start this season, but that means there's still time to get a flu shot and take other precautions.
- NEWS
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Friday, February 17, 2012
The following press release was provided by Lexington's Public Health Division. Yesterday, Feb. 16, the Center for Disease Control reported for the first time this season that the percent of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza has surpassed 10 percent, which is generally a marker to indicate that flu season is beginning. By this measure, activity this season is off to a late start. In the past 29 years, the percent of respiratory samples testing positive for flu has remained below the 10 percent mark until February only once before (1987-1988). Other indicators are lagging, but are expected to increase in the coming weeks. So it’s not too late to get your flu shot! Influenza, known as flu, is a very contagious disease of …
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Pat
11:31 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
I have been a nurse for over 40 years. I cannot remember a more virulent flu in this region. I cared for a family yesterday whose previously well 4 year old had died of the flu the day before. I have a 60 year old friend who never gets the flu shot because he "is healthy and never gets the flu." He was admitted for several days with a severe pneumonia and such a concerning headache he had several… more ›