Friday, January 18, 2013
Yes, but some stores struggle to keep the vaccine in stock.
Even though flu numbers may be dropping in Maryland, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that as of Jan. 5 (the most recent data available), 48 states, including Maryland and Virginia, continued to see "widespread" influenza activity, with California, Mississippi and Washington, DC, showing only "local" activity. The CDC's website recommends that "[the] single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year." However, it may be challenging to find a flu shot in your area. In Montgomery County, at least one CVS in Wheaton is finding it difficult to keep the vaccine in stock. "We do have the flu vaccine if you come in today," pharmacy technician Luis Velasco said this week. "Last Thursday, we ran out…
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Montgomery County will offer the last flu clinics of the season in Germantown and Silver Spring
Montgomery County government is giving out free flu shots to county residents at two clinics. The clinics, dates and times are: To make an appointment call 311 or make one online at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/flu. The clinics will be the last of the flu season, according to county health officer Dr. Ulder J. Tillman. Patch reported earlier this month that the flu is hitting hard in Maryland and nationally. In Maryland, 2,362 people have tested positive for the flu so far, according to The Baltimore Sun. But with many patients treated for flu-like symptoms without being tested, the number is likely much higher, said Mary Anderson, a spokesperson for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. This flu season started …
Friday, January 11, 2013
Google Flu Trends "uses aggregated Google search data to estimate current flu activity around the world in near real-time," its website stated.
Flu cases appear to be rising still in Maryland, according to Google Flu Trends, which "uses aggregated Google search data to estimate current flu activity around the world in near real-time," the Google Flu Trends website stated. Google Flu Trends data indicates that the number of flu cases in Maryland started rising in mid-November. As of Jan. 11, the flu has reached the "intense" category in Maryland, whereas at this time last year, the number of flu cases was only in the "moderate" range. Earlier this week, Montgomery County hospitals reported an uptick in patients suffering from flu-like symptoms. At Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, about 30 extra patients a day are visiting the emergency room, many of them complaining of flu-like …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Patients with flu-like symptoms are crowding emergency rooms as officials gear up for what could be a bad flu season.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Patients with flu-like symptoms are crowding emergency rooms as officials gear up for what could be a bad flu season.
Montgomery County hospitals are seeing an increase in patients with flu-like symptoms as the number of influenza cases across the state and the country rises and health officials gear up for a flu season that could be the one of the worst in a decade. The flu is spreading earlier and faster than usual in the Washington, DC, region this year, The Washington Post reported, and Maryland is experiencing widespread cases. In Maryland so far this season, 2,362 have tested positive for the flu, according to The Baltimore Sun. But since many patients are treated for flu-like symptoms without being tested, the number is likely much higher, said Mary Anderson, a spokeswoman for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. The …
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Germantown Health Center is offering free flu vaccines for Montgomery County residents
If you live in Montgomery County, you can get a flu vaccination for free. Montgomery County Health and Human Services is offering free vaccination clinics at the Germantown Health Center on Middlebrook Road. According to the county health department, this season's vaccine protects against an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus; an A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus; and a B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says anyone 6 months or older should be vaccinated on a yearly basis and strongly urges vaccinations for children younger than 5 and adults who are in close contact with children younger than 5 or work in health care settings. To make an appointment, please visit the county's online …
Patricia J. Kelly
11:18 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
When someone is sick they should try to avoid situations that infect others, alot of this is common sense. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wear a mask, wash hands. blah blah... How many times have you been in a checkout line and some inconsiderate person sneezes and blows snot all over the everyone or your food service worker coughs as they are bringing your plate to you, and there are… more ›