HSA Influenza Research

Three people in Tennessee have tested positive for West Nile virus as of Thursday afternoon, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.

During week 36, 5.5% of all deaths reported through the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to P&I.

90 percent occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination this season.

60 percent of deaths occurred in children who were at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications, but 40 percent of these children had no recognized chronic health problems.

Children younger than 5 years of age and children of any age with certain chronic health conditions, including asthma or other lung disorders, heart disease, or a neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorder are at high risk of developing serious complications from flu infection.

What is influenza (also called flu)?

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.

protects against two influenza A viruses and an influenza B virus.

quadrivalent flu vaccine will protect against two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses

contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses

mild to severe illness

Approximately 5-20% of U.S. residents get the flu each year.

Getting the flu vaccine is your best protection against the flu.

pneumonia and dehydration.

Eliminate standing water in your yard. Mosquitoes breed in pools of standing water. Unclog roof gutters. Empty unused swimming pools. Change water in birdbaths at least weekly. Remove old tires or any unused containers that might hold water and serve as a breeding place for mosquitoes. To reduce your own exposure to mosquitoes: Avoid unnecessary outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most prevalent, such as at dawn, dusk and early evening. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you go into mosquito-infested areas. Apply mosquito repellent containing an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent to your skin and clothing. Choose the concentration based on the hours of protection you need — the higher the percentage (concentration) of the active ingredient, the longer the repellent will work. Follow the directions on the package, paying special attention to recommendations for use on children. When outside, cover your infant's stroller or playpen with mosquito netting.

Kids and adults younger than 50 are less likely to become sick from the infection if they do get it.

West Nile virus is one of several mosquito-borne viruses in the United States that can infect people. The virus exists in nature primarily through a transmission cycle involving mosquitoes and birds. Mosquitoes become infected with West Nile virus (WNV) when they feed on infected birds. Click here to go to the West Nile Virus Home Page.

West Nile virus (WNV) is most commonly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.

You can reduce your risk of being infected with WNV by using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites. There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection.

Less than 1% of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness.

About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to reduce fever and relieve some symptoms

In severe cases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care.

"Looking at the risk of getting infected, anyone who is outdoors and participating in activities is,'' says Erin Staples, MD, PhD, medical epidemiologist at the CDC.

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the season was moderately severe overall, and severe for people 65 years and older, with very high hospitalization rates in that age group.

Common symptoms include a high fever (101ºF-102ºF) that begins suddenly, muscle/body aches, chills, tiredness, and sudden onset. Influenza frequently causes people to miss school and work but in some cases there are severe complications such as pneumonia. In the United States annually, more than 200,000 individuals are hospitalized and between 3,000-49,000 die from influenza-related complications.

DC recommends that everyone six months of age and older receive an annual vaccination. The best time to get vaccinated is in the early fall, as soon as the vaccine is available.

affects more than 60 million individuals in the US every yea

Crowding frequent skin-to-skin Contact Compromised skin (cuts or abrasions) Contaminated items and surfaces lack of Cleanliness.

Crowding frequent skin-to-skin Contact Compromised skin (cuts or abrasions) Contaminated items and surfaces lack of Cleanliness.

Influenza and its complications can be deadly

Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system

all child care providers and staff, and all women who are pregnant, are considering pregnancy, are in the postpartum period, or are breastfeeding during the influenza season.

the dosing algorithm for administration of influenza vaccine to children 6 months through 8 years of age has been updated.

Influenza is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract which is considered to be one of the life-threatening infectious diseases. In certain countries, seasonal influenza affects up to 40% of the population every year, with the worldwide death toll of 500 million people. The virus can be transmitted by direct contact with infected individuals, via contaminated objects (also called fomites) and by inhalation of virus-laden aerosols