Got Flu?

Area schools are reporting student absences due to influenza and influenza-like illnesses and stomach bugs such as gastroenteritis and noroviruses, aka “stomach flu.”

We’re not alone in this. Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting an increase in influenza and influenza-like illnesses in the past week. As we are coming into the last two weeks of the holiday season, this will likely increase even more. From shopping malls, to parties, to airports, and family gatherings, these bugs will invariably be passed from person to person.

Need a flu shot? Call your healthcare provider or
Grinnell Regional Public Health
641-236-2385.

Seasonal influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. It comes on suddenly and symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. It often runs its course in a week or less, but it can take some time to recover back to 100 percent. Influenza is nothing to mess around with, particularly for those with special health concerns and our most vulnerable – infants and senior adults.

The good news is that it’s not too late to receive your immunization for seasonal influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) urges everyone over 6 months of age to receive seasonal influenza vaccine annually.

The bad news is that there is no vaccine for what we typically call “stomach flu.” Diarrhea and vomiting are the hallmark symptoms of gastroenteritis and norovirus.

Reports from the CDC are saying that this could be an especially difficult influenza season. They state that historically when influenza A strains are more predominant, it tends to be a more severe flu season with increased hospitalizations and deaths.

The Iowa Department of Public Health says that the three leading strains being seen in the state are Influenza A (H3N2), A(H1N1), and B. All three of these flu strains are covered by this year’s vaccine - A(H3N2), A(H1N1) and B, although some of the A(H3N2) viruses may only be partially covered in the vaccine. The other factor that could complicate an already potentially difficult flu season is that the CDC reports less than 40 percent of adults have received a flu shot and only 42 percent of children have had an immunization against seasonal flu nationally.

Need a flu shot? Check with your primary care provider or call Grinnell Regional Public Health at 641-236-2385 to make an appointment.

Remember: Cover your coughs and sneezes - Clean your hands frequently - Contain germs by staying home when ill.

http://www.idph.state.ia.us

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/IdphNews/Reader.aspx?id=106B2C3B-A162-4558-A341-C2FA0AEE21DD

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=185633

Stay Healthy This Holiday Season

We’re less than two weeks until Christmas and the holiday season is in full swing. Shopping, parties, family gatherings, school programs, and the winter weather is bringing us all indoors. And when we come indoors, we are in close quarters with groups of people. Sneezes and coughs are spreading their holiday cheer as we gather together.

The Iowa Department of Public Health tracks confirmed cases of seasonal influenza and influenza-like respiratory illnesses.  IDPH has been reporting that this is happening in the state for a couple of weeks now.

Here are a few ways to help keep you and yours healthy this holiday season and all winter long.

• It’s hard to stay away from crowds, but be smart about it when you are out and about. You can buy small bottles of hand sanitizer just about anywhere. Put it in your bag, the car, your child’s backpack, your desk drawer, and use it when you don’t have easy access to soap and water. Use after contact with any high-touch surface such as grocery carts or door handles.

• Eating well-balanced meals and getting plenty of rest will help your immune system stay healthy. This is no small feat in the sprint from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. Eat well-balanced meals and healthy snacks. When you go to a party, bring a healthy dish and you know that you will have something to enjoy when the other treats start to beg for your attention.

• Another way to de-stress and to keep off extra holiday pounds is to get in some regular exercise. Even a brisk walk can do wonders for the body and the mind. It’s a good habit any time of year, but December is especially a good time. 

• Limit alcohol consumption and certainly do not drive any motor vehicle after you have been drinking. Never get into a car with a driver who has been drinking. Always choose a designated driver, walk, or call a cab. Never drink and drive.   

Despite all your best efforts, you may get ill.  If you do get sick, please do yourself and everyone else a favor and stay home. Colds, flu, and other nasty illnesses are gifts that no one wants to receive. If you stay home and rest, you will recover much faster than if you continue to push yourself.

If you need medical care that is urgent, but not an emergency, Manatt Family Urgent Care is a great option. When you need to see a healthcare provider and your own physician is not available or you need attention before or after clinic hours, Manatt Family Urgent Care is here for you. The clinic is located on the first floor of the GRMC Ahrens Medical Arts Building and is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

The clinic will have holiday hours from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 31. The clinic will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but the GRMC emergency department will be open as usual. Manatt Family Urgent Care will be back on its regular schedule from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on December 26 and January 2.

When you need to feel better, faster, come and see our team of healthcare professionals when it just won’t wait.

For more information, check out the following:

http://www.cdc.gov/features/healthytips/