Is there a flu outbreak in your area?

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 11, 2013

Well, is the CDC reliable? How corporate is it? I see government agencies fudging real numbers all the time now.Vaccines lower the immune response. So someone vaccinated for one strain of flu is more likely to get infected by another.

I wonder why you come to a nursing forum and post? I understand you are against immunization, but, your posts do not reflect any kind of nursing or medical knowledge/education that would afford you the ability to coherently comment as part of a nursing discussion. You might find more consumer advocate oriented forums to post.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2013

Fascinating read, especially now that the cultures are coming back and indicating that a lot of influenza cases are not covered by the best-guess-a-year-ago vaccine. We will be seeing more of these studies now that culturing is becoming so easy to do and report.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2009/11/does‑the‑vaccine‑matter/307723/

HodagNurse · Jan 11, 2013

In Northern WI the flu is hitting hard. At a few local NH all the residents were given the shot, and still got ill with the Flu. My son, is also dealing with the flu and had his shot also. According to our medical director, this strain of flu in our area is not covered by the shot. Go figure :/

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Jan 11, 2013

It's horrible here too. We are running out of the vaccine so there is a mass panic by patient's and families. I just want to put myself in a bubble.

AN1202 · Jan 11, 2013

Yep-- NW Chicago suburbs. The hospital has been pretty packed since just after Christmas-- a lot more flu (mostly A) and pneumonia as a complication. We've even had a lot more PCT(CNA)s and RNs call in sick this year-- and this was the first year the flu shot was mandatory for employees.

shamrokks, ADN, ASN, RN · Jan 11, 2013

Florida - It's so so, alot of people sick...not necessarily a flu outbreak. I need a flu shot for school and I usually don't get one but I'm kinda glad I'm going to this year.

morte, LPN, LVN · Jan 11, 2013

Oy! Karen, you might be better served letting the fever do its job.....

48 Flu patents in one of our ERs last night.
My staff been sick with Flu and URI going round....my temp was 103 today, no cough, so I'm working from home 2day, forcing fluids, acetaminophen, chicken soup and taking naps.... checking in @ AN during rest break.

NerdyNikki · Jan 11, 2013

Major outbreak of the Flu here in Chicago. Any visitor with symptoms of coughing,runny nose etc. are not allowed in.As a bedside nurse in the ICU, our beds are overflowing with these cases. Many are intubated and going back and forward in respiratory failure.

olddragger · Jan 11, 2013

Thank you OP for breaking this down and for providing the culture reports.

This is one thing I was afraid of. First of all I am so sorry so many people are sick with this stuff. God speed.

Second--when you hear of influenza/flu prevention-- what do you hear---yep thats right--GET THE FLU SHOT! Well, thats just wrong.

Different strands are causing a lot of this outbreak it seems and one cannot constantly outguess mother nature--even for the limited protect this years influenza vaccination is suppose to provide. I know there are more reasons than just the flu shot but my reasoning is this.

What I wish I would hear on TV , radio, internet etc etc is how to best protect yourself from getting Influenza. Yes, the influenza vaccination can be a small portion of protecting yourself, but there is much more to it--as we all know. Those parts--we hear little about and to me they are more important. I have actually had people tell me they can't get the flu because they have had the influenza vaccination.

And dont get me started on Tamiflu.lol

On second thought I do wonder if the aftermath of Hurricaine Sandy is somewhat to blame?

squidbilly · Jan 11, 2013

The CDC has reported that this year's flu vax is 62% effective. Apparently this falls in line with past vaccines, which have been between 50-70% effective. So why is the CDC now calling this year's flu epidemic? 7.3% of deaths last week were a result of influenza or pneumonia, just above the 7.2% threshold that defines an epidemic. I wasn't aware that an epidemic is defined by deaths, not active diseases.

Flu reaches epidemic level in U.S., says CDC | Reuters

Flu cases down in some areas; child deaths up - CNN.com

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 11, 2013

On second thought I do wonder if the aftermath of Hurricaine Sandy is somewhat to blame?

What?

tracyooo1 · Jan 11, 2013

Yes, lots of flu going on around here, I have a URI right now, no wonder with all my patients coughing in my face!