Flu cases on the rise in Shiretown

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Achy, sniffling, sneezing and coughing. Are they the signs of just another common cold, or is it something more?
    Based on the patients being seen at Houlton Regional Hospital, chances are what you think is just a normal cold, is more likely the flu.
    “We have definitely seen a higher level of influenza activity,” said Ellen Bartlett, infection preventionist at Houlton Regional Hospital. “It started pretty much in December. We have had more positive influenza-a tests come through our labs.”
    The number of people coming to HRH to see their primary care physician or via the emergency room spiked dramatically in December.
    “With influenza-type viruses, once you have confirmed and identified it, you don’t necessarily test every single person that comes in,” Bartlett said. “Both locally and statewide, influenza is widespread and increased from what we saw last year.”
    Fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches and chills are the most common symptoms being reported by patients. Even those individuals who had flu shots may not be immune this season, Bartlett said.
    “The good news is that the virus appears to be a good match for the vaccine (flu shots),” Bartlett said. “However, no vaccine is 100 percent effective. Folks can still get the flu if they were vaccinated, but generally their symptoms are milder.”
    There are, however, a number of reasons why people who got an influenza vaccine may still get influenza this season, Bartlett said.
    • People may be exposed to an influenza virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period that it takes the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated. This exposure may result in a person becoming ill with flu before the vaccine begins to protect them.
    • A person may be exposed to an influenza virus that is not included in the seasonal flu vaccine. There are many different influenza viruses that circulate every year. The composition of the flu shot is reviewed each season and updated if needed to protect against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common. Characterization of influenza viruses collected this season in the United States indicates that most circulating viruses are like the vaccine viruses however; there is a smaller percentage of viruses that would not be expected to be covered by the vaccine.
    • Unfortunately, some people can get infected with an influenza virus that is included in the vaccine despite getting vaccinated. Protection provided by influenza vaccination can vary widely, based in part on health and age factors of the person getting vaccinated. In general, the flu vaccine works best among young healthy adults and older children. Some older people and people with certain chronic illnesses may develop less immunity after vaccination. While vaccination offers the best protection against influenza infection, it’s still possible that some people may become ill after being vaccinated. Influenza vaccination is not a perfect tool, but it is the best tool currently at the hospital’s disposal to prevent influenza.
     The health care personnel at Houlton Regional Hospital take influenza vaccination seriously as part of its “Patient Safety and Infection Prevention/Employee Health.” This flu season a total of 86 percent of all personnel were vaccinated.
    “Influenza vaccination is still strongly encouraged, especially to protect those persons at risk of more severe disease,” Bartlett said. “Older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease) – these individuals are at higher risk for serious flu-related complications. It’s especially important that these people are protected from the flu.”
     By being vaccinated, hospital staff decrease their likelihood of contracting influenza, decrease the chance of infecting others, and set a good example for their patients and families.
    “Flu season can peak anytime from October to March,” Bartlett said. “It varies from year to year. Generally, we see the flu peak in February, so this is a bit earlier than what we are used to.”
Tips for staying healthy
    • Get vaccinated. Flu vaccine is recommended for all people for the 2012-13 season.
    • To prevent spread within the community … if you become sick with mild illness stay home and treat your symptoms. Stay home for at least 24 hours. After you are fever free (fever is a temp greater than 100 degrees F) without the use of fever-reducing medications, limit contact with others, use good respiratory hygiene, drink plenty of clear fluids, and get increased rest and sleep.
    There are other good health habits that can help prevent the flu.
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. If possible, stay home from work, school, and avoid doing errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
    • Wash your hands often to protect yourself from germs.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
    • Antiviral drugs can be an important second line of defense to treat the flu or prevent flu infection. For treatment, influenza antiviral drugs should be started within 2 days after becoming sick. When used this way, these drugs can reduce flu symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by one or two days.
    For more information: http://www.maineflu.gov/ and coughsafe.com
When to Seek Immediate Medical Care
    Warning signs for children: Fast breathing or difficulty breathing; bluish or gray skin color; not drinking enough fluids; severe or persistent vomiting; not waking up or not interacting, irritable and not wanting to be held, flu–like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
    Warning signs for adults: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting; flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
    • If you become sick the day of your appointment, call the office and ask if you should still come in. You may be asked to reschedule routine appointments, or asked to place a mask on when you enter the hospital. Masks will be available at each entrance, office, and nursing stations. Also, please use provided hand sanitizer when entering the building.
    “It’s never too late to get vaccinated,” Bartlett said. “It does take two weeks to develop the antibodies, but people can get vaccinated anytime.”
    For more information, contact Bartlett at 521-2340.