News Reports for January 23, 2013

Belarus suspends poultry imports from Mexico, Germany over bird flu

MINSK, 22 January (BelTA) - Belarus has suspended the import of poultry products, including eggs and frozen meat, from Mexico and Germany (Snip).

"According to the International Office of Epizootics, bird flu (H7N3) cases were detected in Mexico (Aguascalientes, San Francisco de Los Romo, and Encarnacion de Diaz, Jalisco)," the department informed.

The department also reported that according to the Directorate General for Health and Consumers of the European Commission) cases of bird low-pathogenic influenza (H5N2, and H5N3) subject to mandatory declaration were detected on poultry farms in Germany (Schleswig-Holstein and Hesse). Continued: http://news.belta.by/en/news/e...

(Note: I don't remember ever seeing anything before now on a H5N3 strain being found in poultry.)

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 06:29:44 AM UTC

35 Week 3 Flu Deaths In Pennsylvania Raise Total To 75

Recombinomics Commentary

Thirty five (35) influenza-related deaths were reported last week, making 75 the total number of flu-related deaths reported season-to-date. A majority of reported deaths are among the elderly (persons >65 years of age). No pediatric flu-related deaths (in persons <18 years) had been reported as of week 3.

The above comments from the Pennsylvania week 3 report cite 35 additional flu deaths, the highest weekly total reported to date in Pennsylvania or any other state this season.  Similarly, the season total of 75 is the highest total reported to date, although the week 3 report from Minnesota (with 60 deaths) or Illinois (with 50 deaths) has not been made public.

The 35 newly reported deaths suggests that the Pneumonia and Influenza death rate of 8.3% for the country in week 2 (which was 1% above the epidemic threshold), may be higher in week 3.

(Snip)

(Snip) the 480 hospitalizations in week 3, which follow the revised 577 and 521 hospitalizations for weeks 1 and 2 respectively, suggest additional reports of high levels of flu deaths in Pennsylvania will follow. http://www.recombinomics.com/N...

 

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 06:37:09 AM UTC

Pandemrix anti-swine flu vaccine 'not used in Poland'

(Snip)

The Reuters news agency reports that 14 year-old Emelie Olsson from Stockholm, Sweden, was given the Pandemrix H1N1 swine flu vaccine made by British drug company GlaxoSmithKline in 2009, during the pandemic which was sweeping across Europe at the time. Emelie later developed narcolepsy (Snip).

The vaccine was given to more than 30 million people in 47 countries during the 2009-2010 H1N1 swine flu pandemic and 795 people across Europe have reported developing narcolepsy since the vaccine's use, Reuters reports.

But no cases of the suspected side effect have been reported in Poland because the Polish health minister at the time, Ewa Kapacz, refused to stock up on anti-swine flu vaccines, despite being pressured to do so by the EU and World Health Organisation (WHO).

(Snip) "The Ministry of Health decided not to purchase this product as it had not been sufficiently tested," she added.

Peer-reviewed studies from Sweden, Finland and Ireland show the risk of developing narcolepsy after the 2009-2010 immunization campaign was between seven and 13 times higher for children who had Pandemrix than for unvaccinated kids.

GlaxoSmithKline's chief medical officer at their vaccine branch, Norman Begg, has said the pharmaceutical giant is "absolutely committed to getting to the bottom of this", but adds there is not yet enough data or evidence to suggest a causal link between Pandemrix and narcolepsy. http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Arty...  

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 06:45:07 AM UTC

India: Ten people die of swine flu in Punjab

Jalandhar: Ten persons have died of swine flu and 35 others, found to be affected by the disease, are undergoing treatment in Punjab this winter, officials said.

(Snip) Six of them were residents of Punjab while the remaining were from different states (Snip).

"35 people affected by swine flu are being treated in the state out of which eight people have come for treatment from other states including neighbouring Haryana," Bhatia said. Continued: http://www.ndtv.com/article/in...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 06:49:15 AM UTC

Nepal: Eight places in Ilam bird flu surveillance site

MANGALBARE: The District Livestock Office, Ilam has fixed eight places as bird flu surveillance sites in the district.

The places of high risk of bird flu are Kolbung-Fikkal, Fikkal-Pashupatinagar, Khudunabari-Danabari, Fikkal-Maikhola bridge, Gorkhe- Manebhanjyang, Maikhola Bridge- Puwa Khola, Puwa Khola- Ranke, Nepaltar- Mangalbare Continued: http://thehimalayantimes.com/f...

Wikipedia: Ilam, Nepal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 07:15:03 AM UTC

CIDRAP: H5N1 strikes four more Nepal poultry farms

(Snip) authorities in Nepal yesterday reported H5N1 avian flu outbreaks at four commercial broiler poultry farms, all located in the same district of the country's Gandaki zone (Snip). The farms are in Kaski district, which is located in the west central part of the country. The outbreaks began during the first week of January and have killed 1,112 of 3,160 chickens. The remaining 2,048 birds were destroyed to control the spread of the virus. Workers have cleaned and disinfected the areas, and intensive surveillance activities are under way throughout the country (Snip). Nepal has been battling H5N1 in poultry over the past several months, and outbreaks were recently reported in neighboring Bagmati zone. http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidr...


Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 07:26:45 AM UTC

CIDRAP: Study - Almost half of US tots do not receive vaccines on schedule

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidr...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 07:29:21 AM UTC

Flu epidemic begins in Austria: medical experts

VIENNA, Jan 22, 2013 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Austrian medical experts said Tuesday the country is "at the beginning of a flu epidemic" with 9,900 new influenza (Snip) cases in Vienna alone last week.

In the previous week, 8,900 cases had been reported, and health authorities in the cities of Graz and Innsbruck, as well as the Austria-wide influenza network, are reporting similar spikes in the numbers of patients.

(Snip) the majority of samples taken from patients are carrying the A(H1N1) virus (Snip).

Heinz said the 2013 influenza vaccine was a perfect fit for the current strains of flu, and that people "can still get vaccinated," (Snip). http://it.tmcnet.com/news/2013...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 07:46:21 AM UTC

800 children in Europe develop narcolepsy after swine flu vaccine

(Snip)

Reuters reported the children in Sweden and across Europe came down with the sleep disorder after being vaccinated with the Pandemrix H1N1 vaccine which is made by GlaxoSmithKline. Regulator there have ruled Pandemrix should not be given to anyone under the age of 20.

Emmanuel Mignot, a Stanford University sleep disorder specialist, said "there's no doubt in my mind whatsoever that Pandemrix increased the occurrence of narcolepsy onset in children in some countries - and probably in most countries."

(Snip) about 30 million people received the vaccine and that a link between the sleep disorder and Pandemrix has been under investigation since 2010.

(Snip) the company said there was not enough information to link the two.

(Snip) Finland, Sweden, France, Norway and Ireland have seen a recent increase in narcolepsy (Snip).  http://www.globalpost.com/disp...
 

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. --Unknown

     

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by: Carol@SC @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 08:22:09 AM UTC

Really? In Children, Flu Vaccine Can Prevent Ear Infection

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/...

REALLY? JANUARY 21, 2013, 2:42 PM9 Comments
By ANAHAD O'CONNOR

For many children, flu season means an increased risk of ear infections as well. Although many people do not realize it, the middle ear has a direct link to the upper respiratory tract: the auditory, or Eustachian, tube. Infections in the nose or sinus cavities thus can spread to the ear.

Ear infections are a common scourge of childhood. Most children under the age of 8 will have at least one, and over a quarter will experience them chronically.

[snip]

So does that mean that vaccinating against the flu might prevent ear infections in children? Some researchers think so.

In a report published in 2011, scientists pooled data from eight randomized studies of 24,000 children between the ages of 6 months and 7 years. They found that those who received the FluMist vaccine, a nasal spray made with live but weakened flu virus, had a significantly lower risk of acute ear infections compared with children who received a placebo. Among children who ultimately got the flu, those who had been vaccinated had a 40 percent reduction in ear infections compared with children who were given a placebo.

A study published last year also found that the flu vaccine reduced the incidence of acute ear infections in children. FluMist appears to be more effective than the shot, but scientists say more research is needed.

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 18:14:48 PM UTC

Double post...ignore next article...

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 19:17:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Really? In Children, Flu Vaccine Can Prevent Ear Infection

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/...

REALLY? JANUARY 21, 2013, 2:42 PM9 Comments
By ANAHAD O'CONNOR

For many children, flu season means an increased risk of ear infections as well. Although many people do not realize it, the middle ear has a direct link to the upper respiratory tract: the auditory, or Eustachian, tube. Infections in the nose or sinus cavities thus can spread to the ear.

Ear infections are a common scourge of childhood. Most children under the age of 8 will have at least one, and over a quarter will experience them chronically.

[snip]

So does that mean that vaccinating against the flu might prevent ear infections in children? Some researchers think so.

In a report published in 2011, scientists pooled data from eight randomized studies of 24,000 children between the ages of 6 months and 7 years. They found that those who received the FluMist vaccine, a nasal spray made with live but weakened flu virus, had a significantly lower risk of acute ear infections compared with children who received a placebo. Among children who ultimately got the flu, those who had been vaccinated had a 40 percent reduction in ear infections compared with children who were given a placebo.

A study published last year also found that the flu vaccine reduced the incidence of acute ear infections in children. FluMist appears to be more effective than the shot, but scientists say more research is needed.

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 18:15:22 PM UTC

All About Cedar Creek: The "ouchless" flu shot is here

http://bastropadvertiser.com/2...

Tuesday, January 22, 2013 | Special to the Advertiser
By Vicki Lyn James

Yes, Ms. Hulda, the new intradermal flu shots (dubbed the "ouchless" shot) are available in Bastrop. CVS Pharmacy has them. What is the intradermal shot? Theintradermal flu vaccine is a flu shot injected into the skin, instead of the muscle, with a 90 percent smaller needle.

According to the CDC, the intradermal shot uses a much smaller needle and therefore requires fewer antigens to be as effective as a regular shot. Antigen is the part of the vaccine that helps your body build protection against flu viruses. This one is really great for those of us (me included) that don't like needles. It's approved by the Food and Drug Administration for adults ages 18 through 64 and the regular flu shot continues to be an option for those 6 months and older.

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 18:19:41 PM UTC

Got the flu? Rest first, exercise later, experts say

http://medicalxpress.com/news/...

January 22, 2013 in Health

Sick athletes should put off vigorous workouts. (HealthDay)-

Although regular exercise has been linked to a strong immune system, people with flu symptoms, such as fever, extreme tiredness, muscle aches and swollen lymph glands, should avoid physical exertion while sick and for two weeks after they recover, according to the American Council on Exercise.

With the United States battling widespread flu activity, the council issued guidelines for athletes and others who exercise regularly. Above all else, flu sufferers should get plenty of rest, the group said in a news release. Endurance athletes, including marathon runners and triathletes, need to be extra careful, the council added. For 72 hours after a 90-minute, high-intensity endurance workout, these athletes may be vulnerable to illness. Intense workout routines temporarily elevate levels of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which lowers immunity, the experts explained.

For people with symptoms of the common cold, such as runny nose, headache and mild cough, moderate exercise such as walking is considered safe. The group noted, however, that it's a good idea for people with a cold to listen to their body and reduce the intensity of their workout until their symptoms are gone. Anyone with a cold should avoid working out at a gym or in a group environment to reduce the risk of spreading their illness to others, the council said.

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 18:30:33 PM UTC

A Better Flu Vaccine Requires Public-Private Cooperation

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/...

By the Editors Jan 22, 2013 4:30 PM MT

Influenza vaccines are the best weapons we've got against a disease that each year kills as many as a half-million people, including 3,000 to 49,000 Americans. Yet this season's worse-than-usual flu in the U.S. underscores the limitations of the existing vaccines.

Shortcomings include the inability to rapidly expand vaccine supply in the event of an especially bad flu and the need to vaccinate people with a new formulation almost every year as the virus mutates. These are problems enough when it comes to coping with the regular seasonal flu. They spell potential disaster in the case of pandemic flu, which occurs sporadically (most recently in 2009) when an animal strain of the virus jumps to humans.

[snip about research on new methods of creating vaccine]

A remarkably fast and cheap option would be to propagate vaccine ingredients in E. coli, which reproduces itself every 30 minutes. The biotech company VaxInnate Corp., which has developed an experimental flu vaccine on this basis, estimates that from a single cubic meter of material as many as 400 million doses could be made for pennies a piece, compared with about $9 for egg-based varieties. This would help ensure that poor as well as rich countries could afford a rapid response to flu.

Possible Incentives
Given this market reality, the U.S. government should design incentives to get the industry more deeply involved, and it should encourage other countries with manufacturing capability to follow suit. The National Vaccine Advisory Committee should begin by asking industry leaders what it would take. Among the possibilities they should consider: tax credits for research and development costs, fast-track procedures for product approval, extensions for patents and periods of market exclusivity, and financial prizes for for scientific breakthroughs.
[snip]

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 18:44:18 PM UTC

This flu season, know your flu etiquette

By Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch
Published January 23, 2013
EmpowHER

"Many people confuse the flu and colds, as symptoms are similar," said Susan J. Rehm, M.D., the medical director for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
"Knowing the difference can be simple if you know the 'F.A.C.T.S.' F stands for fever, A is for aches, C is for chills, T is for tiredness and S, this one might be the most important, it stands for sudden onset. Flu strikes fast, unlike a cold, which could take days to come on."

With so many getting sick this season, it is important to help prevent the spread of the virus. "The CDC recommends the 'Take 3' approach to fighting flu: 1. Take time to get a flu vaccine. 2. Take everyday preventive action to stop the spread of the virus. 3. Take prescription antiviral medicines if your doctor prescribes them," explained Dr. Rehm.

Taking those preventive everyday actions can make a difference in spreading the virus to others. But, as Anna Post, the great-great granddaughter of Emily Post and the co-author of the 18th edition of the Emily Post's Etiquette book, noted, "during flu season, when symptoms such as fever, aches, chills and extreme tiredness suddenly hit, it's easy to forget ones manners."

[continued article covers flu etiquette]

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/...

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 18:52:30 PM UTC

Flu Patients Overdosing On Over-The-Counter Meds

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/0...

January 22, 2013 6:51 PM
Reporting Sharrie Williams

DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - Natlie Groves doesn't feel well. She's battling the flu.

[snip]

Over-medicating is actually a big concern for doctors.

Dr. Kapil Sharma with the North Texas Poison Center at Parkland says accidental overdoses spike dramatically during the flu season. Sharma says the problem is people are buying meds to treat different symptoms but most have the same active ingredient.

"So someone may take a med for decongestion, one for pain and fever, one for flu relief, when in fact they are taking multiple doses of the same medication."

That common medication is acetaminophen or Tylenol.

"And although Tylenol is one of the safest medications you can take in appropriate doses, in overdose it can lead to liver damage or liver failure," said Dr. Sharma.

[snip]

If you have any questions or concerns about accidental overdose, you can call the North Texas Poison Center at (800) 222-1222. There is help on the line 24 hours a day. You can also check out www.poisoncontrol.org and www.facebook.com/ntxpc.

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 19:03:18 PM UTC

Flu Patients Overdosing On Over-The-Counter Meds

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/0...

January 22, 2013 6:51 PM
Reporting Sharrie Williams

DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - Natlie Groves doesn't feel well. She's battling the flu.

[snip]

Over-medicating is actually a big concern for doctors.

Dr. Kapil Sharma with the North Texas Poison Center at Parkland says accidental overdoses spike dramatically during the flu season. Sharma says the problem is people are buying meds to treat different symptoms but most have the same active ingredient.

"So someone may take a med for decongestion, one for pain and fever, one for flu relief, when in fact they are taking multiple doses of the same medication."

That common medication is acetaminophen or Tylenol.

"And although Tylenol is one of the safest medications you can take in appropriate doses, in overdose it can lead to liver damage or liver failure," said Dr. Sharma.

[snip]

If you have any questions or concerns about accidental overdose, you can call the North Texas Poison Center at (800) 222-1222. There is help on the line 24 hours a day. You can also check out www.poisoncontrol.org and www.facebook.com/ntxpc.

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 19:03:18 PM UTC

Flu death toll rises to 40 in Indiana

http://www.indystar.com/articl...

Jan 23, 2013   |   0 Comments

Flu has claimed the lives of another 13 people in the state this week and five in Marion County alone, state health officials report today, which brings the total death toll this season to 40.

Meanwhile, the percent of patients seen in emergency rooms and sentinel outpatient clinics complaining of flulike symptoms ticked up slightly this week from last, according to the weekly influenza report issued by the Indiana State Department of Health.

Emergency departments reported that 4.58 percent of their patients presented with flulike symptoms up from 4.21 percent last week and 4.01 percent the week before.

About 4 percent of patients seen in sentinel clinics had flulike symptoms, the report found, up from 3.64 percent the previous week. At university clinics, that number reached 5.39 percent, up from 3.5.
[continued at link]

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 19:06:58 PM UTC

Should I take Tamiflu to treat the flu?

http://news.consumerreports.or...

Jan 23, 2013 10:15 AM

Also, you should know that Tamiflu is expensive. A 5-day course of the drug will cost at least $100.

For those reasons, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that only certain groups should take antivirals, including:

people sick enough to be hospitalized with the flu
those with a severe, complicated, or progressive health problem such as chronic pulmonary disease, including asthma, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, heart disease or a suppressed immune system
children younger than 2
adults 65 or older
pregnant women
people younger than 19 who on long-term aspirin therapy
American Indians or Alaska Natives
those who are morbidly obese (a body-mass index of 40 or higher)
residents of nursing homes and assisted-care facilities
In addition, because antivirals might make you less likely to spread the flu, you could consider taking the drugs if you have the illness and you care for someone who has a compromised immune system, respiratory disease, or heart failure.

"For most adults without complicating health concerns, treating flu symptoms with rest, fluids, aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen is their best course of action," advises Schaefer. "Rest is a key factor. Stay home and sleep all day. Give your body a chance to recoup. Lots of fluids. Don't contaminate others."

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 19:16:13 PM UTC

Doctors worry cold weather will cause flu season to peak again

http://www.wvec.com/news/Cold-...

by Karen Hopkins, 13NEWS
WVEC.com
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 2:47 PM
Updated yesterday at 6:05 PM

NORFOLK-- Doctors predict flu season will peak again, and the cold weather might make the situation worse.

Dr. Carolyn Moneymaker, associate professor of clinical pediatrics at CHKD, is encouraging people to take care of themselves."The cold weather drives people inside and the flu is easily spread. Also, the chilly temperatures can irritate mucus membranes, making you predisposed to catching the virus."

According to the Virginia Department of Health, cases of flu are still widespread, which is the highest level of concern. However in the past couple of weeks, doctors are seeing fewer people infected with the virus.

"The most important message that needs to get out is that pregnant women, in their second trimester and beyond, need to take the flu shot. Also kids and the elderly also need to get vaccinated," said Moneymaker.

There's still about six weeks left in flu season. Although another outbreak is expected, Dr. Moneymaker hopes it's not as bad as the last spike in sickness. "I'm not sure if it's going to be as substantial as this one has been. This one has been national. It's been widespread across the country."

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 20:13:54 PM UTC

Flu causing shortage of blood donors throughout Arizona

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/...

Posted: 4:17 AM
Last Updated: 6 hours and 51 minutes ago
By: Associated Press
PHOENIX - United Blood Service s says it's experiencing a severe shortage of blood donations in Arizona as many flu-stricken donors are canceling their appointments.

UBS officials say nearly 80 hospital orders for blood went unfilled by the blood bank Tuesday.

The company strives for about 700 donors a day since it provides blood services to 58 hospitals across Arizona.
Donors with O-negative blood are especially in need because their blood can be safely given to all people. There also are shortages in A-negative, B-negative, AB-negative and O-positive.

Meanwhile, demand is higher than normal because hospitals delay many elective surgeries until after the holiday season.

UBS officials say they are turning to their sister agencies in other states for needed blood, or they will shift supplies among the Arizona hospitals.

Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/...

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 20:21:22 PM UTC

UGA professors get grant for flu fighting research

http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/healt...

Updated: 4:31 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 | Posted: 4:31 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

The Associated Press
ATHENS, Ga. - University of Georgia researchers have received a federal grant of more than $1.1 million for their work on fighting the flu.The grant from the National Institutes of Health is to be distributed over the next four years. The researchers' works are refining a nanotechnology-based method that uses laser beams to more accurately predict emerging influenza strains, especially the most deadly ones.

The flu kills thousands of people worldwide each year. Many people get flu vaccines, but those aren't always effective because it's difficult to predict the flu strain for a given year.

Chemistry professor Richard Dluhy is working with veterinary infectious disease professors Stephen Tompkins and Ralph Tripp to refine a method used to identify virus strains so researchers can quickly detect components in viruses that affect influenza virulence.

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 20:26:03 PM UTC

Expect Distribution Tanggamus Disnak Bird Flu Vaccine

http://lampung.tribunnews.com/...
January 23, 2013
Tanggamus, Indonesia:  The Tanggamus Department of Animal Husbandry is still awaiting arrival of a vaccine to prevent bird flu in ducks, the sub clade 2.3.2.  Acording to Eko Turyono, Head of Animal Health, the vaccine was imported from Disnak Lampung.  All districts/cities will receive it, however, the dosage will be adjusted to the local wild duck population.

"We do not know and are still waiting for the arrival.  When the vaccine arrives at Langgsun, we will give it to the ducks, the wild ducks belonging to the community," said Eko, Wednesday (23/01/2013).

He claimed not to know the efficacy of the vaccine since there is no bird flu cure.  Most likely it will be able to increase the immunity if it can not heal.

"I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man."  Thomas Jefferson

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by: History Lover @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 20:30:55 PM UTC

Tips to avoid the flu while flying

http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/ne...

Posted: 6:16 AM
Last Updated: 44 minutes ago
By: Linda So

[snip

Airplane cabins have been known to be a perfect incubator for germs that carry everything from the cold to the flu.
But there are ways you can avoid those viruses when you fly.

First, drink lots of water before and during the flight.
Staying well hydrated keeps your mucus membranes moist, making you better equipped to fight germs.

It's also a good idea to skip the alcohol because it can make you dehydrated.

Use a saline nasal spray to protect yourself from the dry air in the cabin. Dry nasal passages make it easier for germs to settle in to your system.

Use disinfectant wipes to clean any surfaces you touch, the tray tables, the seat pocket, and the armrests.

And if you use the toilet, remember to cover the lid before you flush.

Avoid using the plane's blankets or pillows because they can harbor germs as well.

And you might look silly wearing a mask. But if someone sitting near you is coughing and sneezing, it's an effective way to keep the germs from entering your system.

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 20:34:18 PM UTC

I was going to suggest...

...simply stay ahead of the flock.

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by: Bronco Bill @ Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 11:30:34 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Experts offer advice for flu sufferers

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/st...

Monday, January 21, 2013  
Denise Dador

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Nationwide, flu rates appear to be leveling off, indicating the country may be at its peak. But infectious-disease specialists say Southern California can still expect to see a higher than usual amount of cases in the coming weeks. So from Dr. Oz to local health officials, we get the best advice on how to handle the symptoms.

"It's the most rapid uptick in the cases of flu we've seen in a decade and the strain of flu virus is actually a pretty deadly one," said Dr. Mehmet Oz.

[continued at link]

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 20:40:32 PM UTC

Allegheny Co. Hit Hardest By Flu In The State

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com...

January 22, 2013 9:08 PM

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health released its latest numbers on flu activity in the state.

And Allegheny County is by far and away the worst county in the state when it comes to the flu.

More than 2,100 cases of the flu have been reported in the county.

That's more than double any other county in Western Pennsylvania.And more cases than any other county in the entire state.

[continued at link]

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by: bgw in MT @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 20:45:17 PM UTC

12-Year-Old Girl Fourth El Paso Flu-Related Death

http://www.elpasotimes.com/new...
January 23, 2013
A 12-year-old girl is El Paso's fourth and latest flu-related fatality, city health officials said today.

"This child's death comes at a time when our staff continues to work diligently to track the current flu patterns and as we collectively work to prevent more cases. While it is difficult news to bear, it is also galvanizes our commitment to making a positive difference in our community," Bruce Parsons, City of El Paso interim public health director, said in a statement.  

Parsons said the girl had a medical history that included serious underlying health conditions.   Health officials said people with weakened immune systems are more likely than others to develop serious flu-related complications.  
(more)

"I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man."  Thomas Jefferson

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by: History Lover @ Wed Jan 23, 2013 at 22:59:50 PM UTC

Please post new news stories ...

...to News Reports for January 24, 2013

Thank you!

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by: AlohaOR @ Thu Jan 24, 2013 at 05:05:30 AM UTC