Re: Norway: many people sick with swine flu
machine translated;
Influenza Situation in Norway Christmas 2012
Published 29.12.2012, updated: 01.01.2013, 14:44
Influenza activity in Norway increased across the country before Christmas, and we assume that the increase will continue in the new year. It's not too late to get vaccinated, and we encourage everyone at risk to take the seasonal flu vaccine.
Oversight
The Institute monitors each winter influenza situation in that 201 medical offices scattered across the country reported the proportion of patients who are diagnosed with influenza-like illness. As part of the monitoring also sends medical offices in virus samples to Public Health for testing. Hospitals Laboratories reports the weekly influenza which they have demonstrated.
The different influenza viruses have been detected regularly in the country since October, but disease incidence remained very low until the middle of December. In week 50 showed flu monitoring the incidence of influenza-like illness outbreaks were still under the limit, but that the increased markedly compared with the week before. We estimate that there are now occurring outbreaks of flu in some places in the country, and an increasing number of people will get the flu in the future. The first monitoring report for July will be published 3 January.
Virus Monitoring
Virusp?visninger number more than doubled from week 49 to week 50 It was proven 114 influenza A and 56 influenza B. It circulates three different influenza this season: Influenza A (H1N1) (pandemic virus from 2009), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza type B. The proportion of influenza A (H1N1) increased in week 50. This corresponds to findings made in other European countries who are heading into their annual flu season, although influenza B currently appears to be most common in Europe.
Flu virus pandemic has now become a regular seasonal influenza viruses and is proven every year since the pandemic, although we have had a low incidence in Norway after the 2009-10 season. It is too early to determine what viruses are the main winter variant.
Vaccination against seasonal influenza
This year's seasonal vaccine protects against the three influenza viruses circulating, and we assume that the effect is good. It's still not too late to get vaccinated, as this year's epidemic is in its early stages. It takes 1-2 weeks before you achieve good protective effect. It appears that the level of protective antibodies in those vaccinated with Pandemrix in 2009, or who were ill during the pandemic, could have fallen so much that one can not rely on that protection is still adequate. , we especially recommend that those who have an underlying risk factor takes the season vaccine. Risk groups are:
persons who are 65 years or older
residents of sheltered housing and nursing homes
pregnant women, especially in the 2nd and 3 trimester
adults and children with chronic respiratory diseases, particularly those with reduced lung capacity
adults and children with chronic cardiac / vascular disease, especially those with severe heart failure, low cardiac output or pulmonary hypertension
adults and children with impaired defense against infection
adults and children with diabetes mellitus (both type 1 and type 2)
adults and children with chronic renal failure
adults and children with chronic liver failure
adults and children with chronic neurological disease or injury
adults and children with very severe obesity, ie body mass index (BMI) over 40 kg/m2
Also recommended health care providers to get vaccinated. They are more susceptible to infection from patients, and also risk infecting their patients if they become ill.
Serious illness from influenza infection
Outbreaks of influenza occur every year and infects up to 10-15% of the population. For most people the disease is a temporary illness that goes away on its own without medical treatment. Sometimes, however, complications arise that require hospitalization, also in intensive care. This is something that hospitals observe each year.
Risk groups are most vulnerable to severe illness, and it is rare in healthy people have serious complications after influenza infection. Risk groups may also have an exacerbation of their illness from influenza infection. Children are often sick with flu, A (H1N1) virus is relatively new and therefore more likely to cause disease in children than the other virus types. Rare cases of life-threatening illness can occur with all three circulating influenza viruses, but has been somewhat more frequent in adolescents and young adults with A (H1N1) virus. So far we have no indication that the A (H1N1) virus has evolved to a more aggressive influenza. All influenza virus can cause severe influenza, this is not limited to A (H1N1) virus. There are currently no indications that this year's flu season is more severe than in previous years, but the situation is closely followed by the NIPH.
The advice to the Public Health are:
Take the flu vaccine if you are at risk
Do not cough on others if you are sick
If you belong to risk groups and are ill: low threshold for contacting a doctor
Children get the flu more often than adults. Most children recover through infection without medical attention. Make sure kids get enough drink and food; consult a doctor promptly if the child dehydration, shortness of breath, difficult reachable or if you are worried about your child
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