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Reports of swine flu down, stomach flu up in Brevard
BY KEYONNA SUMMERS ? FLORIDA TODAY ? March 4, 2010
Reported swine flu cases are down, but they've been replaced by an increased number of stomach viruses and regular flu instances, local medical professionals say.
"In our practice, we have seen a spike in influenza over the last week in all age groups," said Elizabeth Van Hemel, a physician's assistant with Badolato Family Health in Melbourne. "We think this is part of the normal flu season peak. I'd say it's been pretty consistent with what we've seen in the past."
Doctors say flu season usually lasts September through April, but typically peaks in February and March.
Van Hemel said thorough hand washing is a great remedy for warding off flu, as well as a recent increase in cases of gastroenteritis -- more commonly known as "stomach flu" or norovirus.
Gastroenteritis and regular influenza are both caused by viruses, but influenza is characterized by body aches, fatigue, sore throat and upper respiratory symptoms. Gastroenteritis has more of an effect on the stomach and intestines, often causing diarrhea.
"Norovirus is pretty readily transmittable, so basic hygiene is necessary to prevent transmission," Van Hemel said.
In June 2009, H1N1, a potentially deadly flu strain better known as swine flu, was declared a global threat by the World Health Organization. Five
Brevard County residents succumbed to the illness last year.
Physicians say the swine flu threat has waned over the last few months, but Brevard County Health director Heidar Heshmati said it's still recommended that residents continue to take advantage of free vaccines because the potential for future outbreaks is uncertain.
Community health director Bruce Pierce said Brevard has received over 100,000 doses of the vaccine. The health department alone has distributed about 16,000 free shots.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to roll swine flu into the regular flu vaccine next year, but for now the special H1N1 dose is recommended for everyone as a precaution, Heshmati said.
The county health department offers free vaccines 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and occasionally holds free clinics on Saturdays.
"The number of cases is down. We don't really have H1N1 anymore but nobody knows what can happen: next month it may come back. Plus what about after summer time, we may have another outbreak," Heshmati said.
"That's why it's good for everybody to get the shot every year. And having a shot every year makes more antibody and they can be protected in the future."
Dr. Abe Hardoon, who practices internal medicine at Suntree Internal Medicine, said his office saw the majority of swine flu cases in September through December and involved people under age 50.
In recent months, he said, the spike in regular flu has afflicted mainly elderly patients.
Allergies and regular colds tend to prevail in the summer months, Hardoon
said.
Use "common sense," he said when asked what people who did not vaccinate themselves against the regular flu this fall can do. "Washing hands, if you shake somebody's hand go wash your hand with soap and water. And be nice to others: if you're sick, stay home."
http://www.floridatoday.com/article...+of+swine+flu+down++stomach+flu+up+in+Brevard
BY KEYONNA SUMMERS ? FLORIDA TODAY ? March 4, 2010
Reported swine flu cases are down, but they've been replaced by an increased number of stomach viruses and regular flu instances, local medical professionals say.
"In our practice, we have seen a spike in influenza over the last week in all age groups," said Elizabeth Van Hemel, a physician's assistant with Badolato Family Health in Melbourne. "We think this is part of the normal flu season peak. I'd say it's been pretty consistent with what we've seen in the past."
Doctors say flu season usually lasts September through April, but typically peaks in February and March.
Van Hemel said thorough hand washing is a great remedy for warding off flu, as well as a recent increase in cases of gastroenteritis -- more commonly known as "stomach flu" or norovirus.
Gastroenteritis and regular influenza are both caused by viruses, but influenza is characterized by body aches, fatigue, sore throat and upper respiratory symptoms. Gastroenteritis has more of an effect on the stomach and intestines, often causing diarrhea.
"Norovirus is pretty readily transmittable, so basic hygiene is necessary to prevent transmission," Van Hemel said.
In June 2009, H1N1, a potentially deadly flu strain better known as swine flu, was declared a global threat by the World Health Organization. Five
Brevard County residents succumbed to the illness last year.
Physicians say the swine flu threat has waned over the last few months, but Brevard County Health director Heidar Heshmati said it's still recommended that residents continue to take advantage of free vaccines because the potential for future outbreaks is uncertain.
Community health director Bruce Pierce said Brevard has received over 100,000 doses of the vaccine. The health department alone has distributed about 16,000 free shots.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to roll swine flu into the regular flu vaccine next year, but for now the special H1N1 dose is recommended for everyone as a precaution, Heshmati said.
The county health department offers free vaccines 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and occasionally holds free clinics on Saturdays.
"The number of cases is down. We don't really have H1N1 anymore but nobody knows what can happen: next month it may come back. Plus what about after summer time, we may have another outbreak," Heshmati said.
"That's why it's good for everybody to get the shot every year. And having a shot every year makes more antibody and they can be protected in the future."
Dr. Abe Hardoon, who practices internal medicine at Suntree Internal Medicine, said his office saw the majority of swine flu cases in September through December and involved people under age 50.
In recent months, he said, the spike in regular flu has afflicted mainly elderly patients.
Allergies and regular colds tend to prevail in the summer months, Hardoon
said.
Use "common sense," he said when asked what people who did not vaccinate themselves against the regular flu this fall can do. "Washing hands, if you shake somebody's hand go wash your hand with soap and water. And be nice to others: if you're sick, stay home."
http://www.floridatoday.com/article...+of+swine+flu+down++stomach+flu+up+in+Brevard