Big jump in flu-like illnesses
[Posted: Fri 11/01/2008]
Cases of flu-like illness have jumped significantly in the last week, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has warned.
According to the centre, the number of reported cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) have trebled in the past week, rising from 16.3 per 100,000 in the last week of 2007 to 52.4 per 100,000 in the first week of 2008.
The HPSC is appealing to people who are at high risk of contracting flu to get themselves vaccinated. High risk groups are:
-People aged 65 and older.
-People with chronic illnesses that require regular medical follow-ups, such as chronic heart disease and diabetes.
-People with lower immunity due to disease or treatment, including those who have had their spleens removed.
-Children or teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy.
-Residents of nursing homes and other long stay facilities.
-Healthcare workers and carers of those in high risk groups.
"The symptoms of influenza infection usually develop over a matter of a few hours and include a high temperature, sore muscles, a dry cough, headache and a sore throat. This is different from the common cold, which tends to come on more gradually and usually includes a runny nose and a normal temperature", explained Dr Joan O'Donnell, a specialist in public health medicine with the HPSC.
Anyone in one of the high risk categories should contact their GP if they develop flu symptoms, Dr O'Donnell added.
[Posted: Fri 11/01/2008]
Cases of flu-like illness have jumped significantly in the last week, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has warned.
According to the centre, the number of reported cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) have trebled in the past week, rising from 16.3 per 100,000 in the last week of 2007 to 52.4 per 100,000 in the first week of 2008.
The HPSC is appealing to people who are at high risk of contracting flu to get themselves vaccinated. High risk groups are:
-People aged 65 and older.
-People with chronic illnesses that require regular medical follow-ups, such as chronic heart disease and diabetes.
-People with lower immunity due to disease or treatment, including those who have had their spleens removed.
-Children or teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy.
-Residents of nursing homes and other long stay facilities.
-Healthcare workers and carers of those in high risk groups.
"The symptoms of influenza infection usually develop over a matter of a few hours and include a high temperature, sore muscles, a dry cough, headache and a sore throat. This is different from the common cold, which tends to come on more gradually and usually includes a runny nose and a normal temperature", explained Dr Joan O'Donnell, a specialist in public health medicine with the HPSC.
Anyone in one of the high risk categories should contact their GP if they develop flu symptoms, Dr O'Donnell added.