Eleven States See Widespread Flu Outbreaks

CDC Says One Minor Strain Has Emerged That Is Not Targeted By This Year's Vaccine

(AP)  Flu season is in full swing, with wide outbreaks in 11 states - and a new strain is starting to emerge that this year's vaccine doesn't specifically target, the government's public health chief said Friday.

People still should get their flu shot, and there's plenty available, Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told The Associated Press.

So far, the majority of flu cases are being caused by strains that are a good match to the vaccine - and it should provide some cross-protection against the new bug, too, Gerberding stressed.

"We're still very optimistic" about the protection, Gerberding said. "If people haven't gotten their flu shot, it really is still not too late."

Every year, the flu infects up to 20 percent of the population, causes the hospitalization of 200,000 people and kills 36,000.

Flu is a virus, but it can make its victims vulnerable to bacterial infections, in the lungs or the bloodstream, at the same time.

Children are at particular risk, and the CDC this week sent an alert to doctors to watch for young flu victims who might also have such bacterial infections as the notorious drug-resistant staph known as MRSA.

Last year, the CDC learned of 73 children who died from flu, and 44 percent of them had a bacterial co-infection - mostly staph. Compared to earlier years, that's a five-fold increase in staph piggybacking on kids' flu.

While the CDC's newest flu report lists one child death so far this year, Gerberding wanted to be sure that doctors test for staph in any child with a suspicious illness "because these bacteria need special treatment, and we want to make sure they get that right therapy."

Each year's vaccine contains protection against three influenza strains - two members of the nasty Type A family, an H1N1 and an H3N2 version, plus a milder Type B - that experts predict will cause the most illness.

So far this year, H1N1 is causing the vast majority of disease, Gerberding said.

But a new H3N2 strain emerged near the end of Australia's flu season, too late to be included in the U.S. vaccine. Called H3N2/Brisbane-like, it is now sickening Americans, although it still is making for a small proportion of cases, Gerberding cautioned.

Some 132 million doses of vaccine were produced this year, more than ever before. It's too early to know how many people got vaccinated, but Gerberding said a record number of doses were distributed to doctors and other vaccine providers - and that there is still some available.

CDC has found flu affecting most of the country but widespread outbreaks in Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.

[fitedafuture]

I got the flu shot late one afternoon in October, by the next morning I had the stinkin flu. What good was the shot?

perhaps it was an Alien virus you were injected with.

[slpdisk]

1994 Senator John D. Rockefeller issues a report revealing that for at least 50 years the Department of Defense has used hundreds of thousands of military personnel in human experiments and for intentional exposure to dangerous substances. Materials included mustard and nerve gas, ionizing radiation, psychochemicals, hallucinogens, and drugs used during the Gulf War .
1966 U.S. Army dispenses Bacillus subtilis variant niger throughout the New York City subway system. More than a million civilians are exposed when army scientists drop lightbulbs filled with the bacteria onto ventilation grates.1950 I n an experiment to determine how susceptible an American city would be to biological attack, the U.S. Navy sprays a cloud of bacteria from ships over San Franciso. Monitoring devices are situated throughout the city in order to test the extent of infection. Many residents become ill with pneumonia-like symptoms.

[ampsanne]

There is nothing 100% sure in any medications. What works for the goose might not work for the gander. Usually if you get a flu shot you may still get it, but a more milder kind. Several years ago I missed my flu shot. My doctor told me to start taking Vitamin C and Echinacea, and I made it through the year without getting any flu. With this newest strain, even though I''ve had my flu shot, I''m going to start taking the Vitamin C and Echinaccea to help guard me more. And of course both of them are over the counter drugs.

[mennowoman]

thgdriverwrote: "BTW, what is a fly shot?"

Aren''t you clever.

[brianbwb-2009]

Stock up on vitamin C, whether tablets, of from fresh fruit. It will also help prevent flu, and for those who do get it, it can make the duration much shorter, and the symptoms much easier to bear.

And it not only doesn''t hurt, it tastes good...

[erasmus6]

This isn''t about the flu but about colds.

I started using Otrivin Saline nose spray a few years ago. It has NO MEDICINAL ingredients in it. I started using it for a dry nose but have continued to use it. I use it in the morning and the evening. I have had ONE cold in that time. I have started hearing that if you use a saline spray it can help prevent colds. It probably helps to rinse out any bacteria.

[luvcomments]

I used to get at least two colds every winter and then I got pneumonia three times over three years:( About five years ago, the nurse said they haven''t studied pneumonia vaccines long enough and suggested I get annual flu shots. Since that time, I haven''t had a cold, the flu or pneumonia - so the shots must help.

[barbaraf4]

They can add Tennessee to their list. I had my flu shot, but I am sick as a dog and everyone I know is either coming down with "it" or getting over "it".

[facts6]

This flu was spread by aerosol, no amount of handwashing would have stopped it. Flu vaccines are for specific strains of flu. When a strain comes round that is not in the shot the shot is worthless. A coworker brought it into our office. First flu I''ve had since the epidemic 50 yrs ago. Now that one was memorable!

[sgtrds]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHCCCCHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

(sniff, sniff)

sorry

[magoo2u1]

I am not sure but, even if you get the flu shot and the flu that is going around is the one you got the shot for, that doesn''''t necessarily mean you can''''t get it, it just means that if you do it will probably be milder, isn''''t that so?
YES!!
The CDC travels the world investigating FLU outbreaks and develops the vaccine for the most likely strains. There is no guarantee anywhere in life. The vaccine can help prevent the infection from developing into pneumonia by lessening the symptoms. THERE are no medicines for a virus. We treat their symptoms.Anti-biotics are for bacteria, not virus''s.

[erasmus6]

"I''''m losing my faith in flu shots." posted by realpatriot1

I am not sure but, even if you get the flu shot and the flu that is going around is the one you got the shot for, that doesn''t necessarily mean you can''t get it, it just means that if you do it will probably be milder, isn''t that so?

[realpatriot1]

I work at North Carolina State University and have received a free flu shot for several years. I still got the flu last year and contracted 2 separate strains of virus in since New Years.

I''m losing my faith in flu shots.

[erasmus6]

Also there is usually a limited supply of the flu shot. They usually have enough to cover people that are old, people that have a problem with their immune system, people with health problems but if everyone decided to get one there would not be enough to go around. Even if they did have enough for everybody it would never stop all flu strains because there are just too many different ones and they are constantly mutating.

One day we WILL have another pandemic and when that happens, we will be in big trouble. One of the big problems is that people just do not wash there hands. It is that simple. That and people going to work when they are sick. Some can''t afford to stay home but what they should be doing then is wearing a mask so they don''t contaminate everybody else. Of course they won''t do that because they won''t want to look stupid.

[erasmus6]

"Have we become a bunch of weak and whiny people?" posted by rhs648

Who''s whining?


Anyways, I have never had a flu shot and I also have not had the flu in probably over ten years. I make sure that I wash my hands regularily. That is what the problem is for most people, they just don''t wash their hands enough.

There is no way that they are EVER going to be able to come up with a flu shot for all the different strains of flu. It mutates every year. When they make the flu shot every year, they are just guessing at what strains are going to be around that year. This year, here in Canada, the flu that is here isn''t any that the flu shot covers.

[Netterz]

After YRS of work in a prison, we were vaccinated against everything they had a shot for due to law suits filed by inmates who gotten a sniffle. I did not want to fall victim to any disease because things spread like fire thru prisons, many come in with HIV, TB, any of the Hep strains, a tidbit: once they find out they have a disease they are more than willing to use it as a weapon. Being constantly under the threat of exposure via being spit on, bit, cut, scratched, or being ''dressed out'' which involves an inmate throwing urine or feces at you while you walk by there cell. I have been retired over 11 yrs now, still have not tested positive for any of the diseases some which can lay dormant or a one is not affected but can be a carrier, nor do I get the flu because I continue to get the shots, and titers. They arent good for everyone. But to make my point, as a country, is like the inside of the prison. We try to avoid being directly exposed but its impossible. CO''s & prisoners, are constantly changing, via shift changes for CO''s, what they might be exposed to on the outside (like a world traveler possibly bringing in new disease from another country)& the inmates, (being transferred from prison to prison within a state)being the country. Vaccinating wont work on all, but does a majority. Is intended to help prevent, but new strains can grow at anytime. Any organism will gravitate to what makes it grow, survive. Guess what...your it.

[fishinfool43]

I also have never had a flu shot, and the last time I had the flu was at least 10 years ago. I feel I am one of the fortunate ones. Have seen quite a few that get one every year and seems about 50% will still get the flu. I believe the reason I dont get it is because I get my needed rest, eat healthy foods, wash my hands regularly and drink a little orange juice with my vodka LOL

[rhs648]

Lets look at the logic. If the current vaccine protects people from two or three strains of the flu but missed one strain, the shot must not be any good. If the flu shot protects two thirds of those who get one, it must not be any good. How many of us do everything right in our own lives? Unless we are perfect, how can we expect everyone else to be perfect. Have we become a bunch of weak and whiny people?

[rhs648]

thgdriver - Not everyone gets the flu shop. Millions of Americans pass on the flu shot each year. In fact, I have never had a flu shot. Perhaps, we could require everyone to get a flu shot and avoid epidemics. Would we have the right to refuse?

[thgdriver]

mennowoman

Where I am employed, the company had a nurse come to the place and give every one a shot that wanted one at no charge.

BTW, what is a fly shot?