close

Officials: Now is ‘perfect time’ for flu shot

2 min read
article image -

While it’s nearly impossible to predict the severity of any seasonal flu, Mon Valley Hospital said it has already seen six adult cases of Influenza A, and four of the patients were admitted, as the new season approaches.

“It’s always a serious disease,” said David Weber, the hospital’s medical director of infectious disease services, reminding the public to get a flu vaccine.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention agrees. “The timing, severity and length of the season usually varies from one season to another,” the CDC website indicates.

It’s also possible for new flu viruses to appear each year.

The CDC recommends a flu vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older before October.

Weber said those with problem immune systems should receive the vaccine in a shot rather than in a nasal application.

The H1N1 virus, which caused a pandemic in 2009, has been a problem for the past several years, Weber said.

He said medical experts are concerned about the possibility of a mutated strand of H1N1 appearing this season.

“I don’t think anyone knows yet,” Weber said regarding any prediction as to the severity of this flu season, which officially begins Sunday.

The CDC also said the timing of any flu breakout is unpredictable and varies from year to year. The number of cases commonly peaks between December and February.

Southwest Regional Medical Center in Waynesburg has not treated any recent flu patients, its spokeswoman said. Washington Hospital did not provide information on whether or not it has treated any recent cases of the flu.

Steve Forest, a research assistant with the Allegheny County Health Department, said there is “very, very low activity” in that county as to the number of recent flu cases.

“Now is the perfect time to get a flu shot,” Forest said.

Kristen Mertz, an epidemiologist with the health department, said this year’s vaccine is similar to the one used last year.

For more information visit: www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/

Greene County Bureau Chief Jon Stevens contributed to this report.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $3.75/week.

Subscribe Today