Flu Blamed in 2 Lehigh County Deaths

Statistics released Tuesday show 35 flu-related deaths last week, including two in Lehigh County. But health officials say the number of reported flu cases is going down.

  Two people died from flu-related complications in Lehigh County in the past week, as the number of flu cases statewide declined, the state Department of Health reported Tuesday.  No deaths were reported in Northampton County. Also, Lehigh Valley Hospital spokesman Brian Downs said Tuesday that an infant who died at the hospital earlier this month did not have the flu, as earlier believed. Initial indicators had pointed to the flu, Downs said, but test results were "negative for flu." Read More: Flu Outbreak Leads to Visitor Restrictions at Hospital in Lehigh Valley Statewide, there were 35 flu-related deaths in the past week, bringing to 75 the total number of flu-related deaths this season, from Oct. 2 through Jan. 19. Confirmed flu …

• Photos (1)

40 Flu Deaths in Pa. - Did You Get Your Flu Shot?

Statistics released Tuesday from the state Department of Health show flu cases continue to rise locally and across Pennsylvania.

  The number of flu cases in the Lehigh Valley and throughout Pennsylvania continues to climb, according to new state data released Tuesday. The state health department reported Tuesday that there were another 18 influenza-related deaths last week, bringing to 40 the total number of flu-related deaths this season, through Jan. 12. The state Health Department website did not indicate any deaths in Lehigh and Northampton counties, nor any pediatric flu-related deaths. However, an infant had died from flu-related complications in early January at Lehigh Valley Hospital, a hospital spokesman confirmed last week. Most of the reported deaths were among those 65 and older, the state health officials said.  The state Department of Health put the …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (4)

Patch reader

7:41 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013

"My wife is an RN with a master's degree and over 30 years of experience. She sees the results in the long-term acute care setting. EVERY patient she's seen in recent years, paralyzed and on a ventilator, with Guillain Barre syndrome had RECENTLY had the flu shot! EVERY ONE! " I agree with Carl (and his wife). The flu shots aren't always as safe as the CDC would like us to believe. Read these …   more ›

Flu Vaccine Scarce; Some Offer Precautions

If you're still looking for a flu shot, you may be out of luck.

With the news about this winter's flu getting worse and worse, some pharmacies are running low or running out of the vaccine. Andt the Catholic Church, too, is getting in on preventive measures. If you're at Mass this weekend, you'll notice that there will be no drinking from a chalice during Holy Communion, according to a press release from the Diocese of Allentown issued Friday. In addition, there will be no physical contact during the sign of peace. Instead of a handshake, parishioners may bow or nod to their fellow worshipers. These directives are temporary and will remain in effect until Allentown Bishop John Barres withdraws them, it said. As of 2 p.m. Friday, the status of flu vaccine supplies at pharmacies in Lower Macungie Patch …

• Photos (1)

LVH Sets Up Separate ER for Flu Patients

An influx of patients suffering from flu-like illness has prompted Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest to set up a mobile tent outside the emergency department to treat patients.

In one of the worst flu outbreaks in years, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township will open a separate emergency room Tuesday, Jan. 8 for patients experiencing flu-like symptoms. The hospital has set up a mobile tent outside the ER to handle an additional influx of patients suffering from flu-like illness, it said in a news release issued Monday. Patients who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should still report to the main ER entrance for triage, a hospital spokesman said. St. Luke’s University Health Network's six emergency rooms is currently seeing about 20 patients a day with flu-like symptoms but does not see a need to expand patient capacity at this time, said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, chief of infectious diseases. The …

•  7 Comments
• Photos (1)

Patch McCracken D.O. Gastroenterologist

5:24 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements??!!!! Nah --- oUhhhh! They told me to get vacine so i can display tag that states "I got Vaccinated, so I don't have to wear a blue mask." err "meant because I care." oh well at least I can bypass the tent of flu patients spreading it to maybe has it patients by stating "I dont have to go in there, I got the shot." to the person outside the main ER, diverting flu …   more ›

Pa. Flu Cases Have Doubled in Past Week

Flu cases in Pennsylvania have gone from sporadic to widespread, state health officials warn

The Department of Health reports there has been a significant rise in influenza activity across Pennsylvania since Thanksgiving.  The Department of Health is reporting flu activity has increased from sporadic to widespread throughout the state, meaning at least half of the state’s regions are experiencing outbreaks of influenza or increases in influenza-like illness. The flu made an appearance earlier this year than in most flu seasons, as widespread activity is usually not seen until January. The number of cases reported to the department more than doubled in the past week.  “If you decided to wait, now is the perfect time to get vaccinated against the flu,” Acting Secretary of Health Michael Wolf said. “Ensuring that you and your family …

• Photos (1)

CDC: Get Your Flu Shot

It's National Influenza Vaccination Week. Did you get your flu shot?

CDC: Get Your Flu Shot

It's National Influenza Vaccination Week. Did you get your flu shot?

More than one-third of United States residents have already been vaccinated against the influenza virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday. With National Influenza Vaccination Week, which started  Sunday and ends Saturday, health officials aim to increase that percentage, especially since this year's season may be a bad one. Influenza—more commonly known as simply "the flu"—is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs. It spreads via infected people coughing, sneezing or talking, though people can also get infected by touching something with the flu virus on it before touching their mouth, eyes or nose. The 2012-2013 season is shaping up to be one of the worst flu …

• Photos (1)

It's Not Too Late to Get Flu Vaccine

The height of the flu season is late January through February, according to the state Department of Health.

Flu activity has been sporadic this winter, with 150 cases reported by Jan. 7, far less than in previous years, according to the state Department of Health.  But we're not out of the woods yet. The height of the flu season is late January through February, said health department spokeswoman Christine Cronkright. The good news is, it's not too late to get a flu vaccine to better protect yourself from the flu -- and the fever and body aches that go with it. The state Department of Health’s website and the flu vaccine finder provide information by county or zip code as to where to get flu shots. And if you happen to be going to the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg this week, the state is giving away free vaccinations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m…

• Photos (1)