Flu cases on the rise in region according to : thetimes-tribune

A and B strainsDoctors are seeing a rise in cases for both flu A, the more common kind with more severe symptoms, and flu B, which has milder symptoms. "When you get a flu vaccine, you're protecting people who are medically vulnerable who may not be able to get the flu vaccine because of their medical situation," Dr. Nelson said. At Geisinger's northeast hospitals, which include those in Scranton andWilkes-Barre, 58 percent were flu A and 42 percent were flu B, according to January figures. There were 264 confirmed cases of flu reported in Lackawanna County between Oct. 2 and Feb. 4, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Aliasgar Chittalia, M.D., an internal medicine specialist at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre, said calling it a good flu season or a bad one shouldn't matter.




The CDC recommends that anyone aged 6 months and older get a Flu shot. Health officials noted it's still not too late to get a Flu shot. In a typical Flu season, Flu complications -- including pneumonia -- send more than 200,000 Americans to the hospital. FRIDAY, Feb. 10, 2017 -- Flu activity spiked sharply across the United States this week, federal health officials reported Friday. Also, mothers of newborns need a flu shot to help protect their infants, who can't be vaccinated until they're 6 months old.

Local News, Flu cases on the rise in Stateline Area

In conjunction with the flu cases, Gurtizen is also seeing increased cases of the stomach flu, or patients suffering from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The total number of reported cases in the 2016-2017 season in Winnebago County was 584, higher than the 300 cases expected. For the week ending Jan. 28, there were 90 cases of influenza A and 10 cases of influenza B in Winnebago County, according to information from the Winnebago County Health Department. SwedishAmerican Stateline Clinic Dr. Jeffrey Gurtizen said he's seen an increased amount of patients with the flu. Also, any visitors who demonstrate symptoms of flu, including cough, fever, chills, headache or vomiting will not be allowed.



collected by :Lucy William
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