Category: Flu Virus

FAIRMONT Community Health and Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties is encouraging people to say boo to the flu and get their flu vaccinations before Halloween. In addition to that, it also recommends at risk populations get RSV and Covid vaccinations, too.

Tim Langer, Public Health Sanitarian, explained that were heading into the season for these diseases to spread more easily as people will start spending more time indoors and having more contact with others as children are in school and holiday gatherings will be starting.

On the Covid front, Langer said they locally continue to see active Covid cases and added that the Omicron variant has changed over the last year or so.

Its still around and it can still cause serious illness or death and does, but primarily in elderly folk and those who are not vaccinated, Langer said.

He added that most people with healthy immune systems do well if infected and only experience minor symptoms which are similar to a cold, but that there are still severe cases throughout the country.

However, Langer noted that its better than it used to be with the original variant and Delta variant.

While theres been chatter about mask mandates as cases pick back up this season, Langer said his personal opinion is that mask mandates are through with.

But I do think there are folk, if theyre more susceptible, they might want to consider masking. A N95 mask can go a long way to stopping the spread of this virus, Langer said.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus, commonly referred to as RSV, is a virus that can affect infants and young children and also the older population.

There is an effective vaccine for that virus and its recommended that if youre 60 and older you obtain that vaccine, Langer said.

He said that infants affected by RSV almost always show symptoms and its not always that way with adults so it can spread easily from adults to children.

Common RSV symptoms include runny nose, coughing, sneezing, fever and wheezing. In young children it can cause bronchitis and pneumonia.

Turning to influenza, Langer said at this time in Minnesota, theyre not seeing high cases of the virus. However, there is a vaccine for it that he suggests people should consider getting.

It can be quite effective in reducing your chances of getting the virus or having a serve case, Langer said.

If its received too early, some of the immunity can wear off so Langer said experts recommend now is a good time to obtain the flu vaccine so the body can build up immunity before more cases pop up in the area.

As with all vaccines, Langer acknowledged that people can have different reactions upon receiving it.

Typically symptoms are mild and only last 24 hours or less. People might have headaches or body aches, but for example, with the influenza virus, you will not get influenza from the vaccine, but you may have side effects, he said.

Side effects are normal and nothing to be worried. Langer recognized that while theyre a nuisance, the vaccine ultimately provides protection in the long-run and many people dont have reactions.

Currently, people can find vaccines for all of these viruses at local pharmacies. In the meantime, practicing good hygiene can go a long way in preventing illness.

I think folk need to be reminded to cover their cough this season and wash their hands and do all of those simple things we can do to prevent the spread of disease whether its serious or not. Even the simple cold can be prevented by covering your cough and washing you hands, Langer said.

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Public Health: Say boo to the flu | News, Sports, Jobs - Fairmont Sentinel

SARS-CoV-2

Source: iStock

Unfortunately, only 23.5% of those who were hospitalized in the U.S. had received the recommended COVID-19 bivalent vaccine, and only 58.6% had received the original vaccines rolled out at the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021. Globally, it may appear that there is a better vaccination rate achieved, with more than 5.55 billion people worldwide receiving a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, equal to about 72.3% of the world population. However, more in-depth research reveals a stark gap exists between vaccination programs in different countries.

Source: CDC

How is the updated vaccine different from previous vaccines? Who should get vaccinated? Will the current version provide protection against recentCOVID-19 variants? When should one get vaccinated, and can other seasonal vaccinations beadministered simultaneously?

Updated COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were approved (mid-Sept. 2023) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the CDC.The updated vaccine is, once again, a monovalent version, which was created to protect people from the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant. While this specific variant is currently responsible for only about 3% of all U.S. cases, the dominant variants that are currently circulating are closely related to it. In other words, the current COVID-19 virus is so close to the vaccine version that it will protect us.

Prior to mRNA vaccine development, many vaccines were created to challenge the immune system with a microbe against which theyre meant to protecteither the entire pathogen or some crucial component. Meaning, in the past the world relied on making vaccines by using weakened or inactivated versions of a virus, which would be injected into eggs (flu), humans or other host cells. This was a lengthy process, and often by the time the vaccine was available, the circulating viruses had already changed genetically, rendering the vaccines less effective.

mRNA vaccines have completely turned vaccine creation on its head. The mRNA vaccines work differently because now they present a genetic code (nucleic acid language) that human cells can translate into proteins. Thus, mRNA in the vaccine is used to prompt host cells to produce viral proteins that stimulate an immune response upon future exposure/infection to that particular pathogenusually by helping neutralize the virus with antibodies. Additionally, existing COVID-19 vaccines offer a resilient cell-mediated immune response.

The amazing power of mRNA vaccines is that the turnaround time required to produce them can be lifesaving in real time. In other words, vaccine makers can simply adapt the nucleic acid code found in the most current versions of circulating COVID-19 variants (or other viruses like the flu) to contain codes for the spike protein found jutting from the outer surface of the virus, and within weeks to a month, our bodies can be immunized to ultimately make copies of a current variants spike protein, which the immune system learns to subsequently recognize.

Source: CDC

Importantly, RNA viruses, including SARS, RSV and influenza, make it very difficult to produce a long-lasting vaccine since these viruses areconstantly evolving. In other words, SARS-CoV-2 is a moving target at the molecular level. As with flu vaccination and others, these new versions of the COVID-19 vaccine will not prevent all COVID-19 infections, but unless there is a major genetic shift in the virus, like we saw with Delta to Omicron in the winter of 2021, the current COVID-19 vaccines will offer partial-to-full protection from circulating variants.

Furthermore, these newer versions are expected to have an immediate impact for preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from a COVID-19 infection, and the release of this vaccine is well-timed to coincide with the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, when respiratory infections, hospitalizations and mortality rates tend to rise.

According to the CDC and WHO, the new COVID-19 vaccine should be taken in the fall, around the Sept.-Oct. timeframe (Northern Hemisphere) for best protection in the winter season. There may be a need for some individuals to receive the vaccine sooner (e.g., immunocompromised).

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe to receive at the same time as your annual influenza (e.g., flu) vaccine. The new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine may be administered at the same time as well.

The CDC states that individuals who recently had a COVID-19 infectionmay wait up to 3 months before being vaccinated.And although experts collectively agree that people should wait until symptoms of an active COVID-19 infection resolve before getting vaccinated, there may be pros and cons to waiting for natural immunity to wane (~3 months) before boosting. On one hand, getting boosted before the 3 months have passed may produce higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies thanwhat would be produced from COVID-19 infection alone, a factorthat could make this a more desirable option, especially for those with high risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure.However, waiting 3 months for natural immunity to wane, may generate a more robust antibody response upon boosting, which may be desirable for those who have alower risk of day-to-day exposure.

In any case, it is important to stay up to date on vaccination, as people who do not get vaccinated after recovery from COVID-19infection aremore likely to get COVID-19 againthan those who get vaccinated after their recovery.

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Updated COVID-19 Boosters and XBB.1.5: What You Need to Know - American Society for Microbiology

COVID-19 did not spread at childcare centers such as daycares and schools, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that children and staff members at local childcare centers were significantly less likely to spread the virus to others at the centers than they were elsewhere.

They say that expensive testing policies and facility closures may not have been needed.

No one wants to give up on controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread, Timothy Shope, M.D., MPH, lead author of the study and pediatrician, said in a statement. But focusing on testing and long exclusion periods for children in child care centers appears to be unnecessary, while subjecting families to the expense of frequent testing, absence from work and lost wages, and loss of education and socialization for children.

School COVID policies were among the most controversial of the pandemic. Many districts opted for school closures early in the pandemic, though children who went to schools in red states often returned to school months before their blue state peers.

These policies are believed to have contributed toward a massive learning loss and the emergence of a mental health crisis among American children. However, many felt the policies were justified because they stopped the potential spread of the virus.

Even when schools did return, many had test-to-stay policies, where students would have to routinely take a COVID test and were sent home if they were determined to have the virus.

The Pittsburgh researchers found that these policies may not have contributed much towards stopping the spread of the virus, though.

Researchers, who published their findings Tuesday in JAMA Network Open, gathered data from 83 children at 11 facilities. Using contact tracing and sequencing, they determined that 17% of infections within households of children who attended centers could be blamed on transmission at the childcare facilities. This is compared to 50% to 67% of transmission that occurred within households themselves.

This means that the children were around three-times more likely to contract the virus at home than they were at the childcare facility.

Dr. Shope says that this data shows that COVID does not need to be overly-tested for, and that facilities should not go into panic whenever a child gets ill.

We need to have an open discussion at the national level about the benefit of recommending SARS-CoV-2 testing for every child with respiratory symptoms who attends a child care program, he said.

In the paper itself, the researchers write that COVID which is rarely severe or deadly among children and has lower mortality rates in youth than the flu should be treated like a normal infection.

Current testing and exclusion recommendations for [childcare centers] should be aligned with those for other respiratory viruses with similar morbidity and greater transmission to households, they write.

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Spread of COVID at Childcare Centers Was Limited Researchers ... - The Messenger

Should I get a fluvaccineand a COVIDvaccineat the same time? What about RSV?

You can absolutely receive the COVID vaccine at the same time as the flu shot. If you are in a high-risk category (immunocompromised, pregnant, over 65, etc.), you can speak with your primary care provider (students' respective campus health service or employees' primary care doctor) to discussanyconcernsand receive guidance on the best approach for you.

Youve probably heard a lot of about RSV, which is Respiratory Syncytial Virus. RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover quickly, but RSV can be serious, especially for babies and older adults. This year, theCDChas recommended a new vaccine to protect those most at risk of getting very sick with RSV (infants, toddlers, and adults 60 years and older).RSV vaccination is available for those eligible at many pharmacies and primary care offices.

With respiratory viruses circulating across the country, youmaychoose to wear a mask to limit your risk of getting sick. Indoor spaces, particularly ones where many people are in close proximity for an extended period of time such as the subway are common places wheresomepeoplechoose tomask up.

Mask wearing must of course be accompanied by other preventative measures such as washing hands frequently and staying home when sick.

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What Community Members Should Know Now to Protect Against Flu ... - Columbia University

The weekly retrospective gives a summary of trends in acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19 and influenza (influenza virus) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

COVID-19 Decrease of all indicators, hinting to a reduced circulation.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) The RSV virus begins to circulate, but at a low level.

Influenza Very few cases of flu have been detected, with circulation at a low level.

From 16 to 22 October 2023 (week 42), the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 dropped to 220 cases, compared to 350 cases the previous week (-37%). The positivity rate fell to 21% compared with 23% the previous week. The viral concentration detected in wastewater confirms the decline in circulation of the virus [1].

These 3 clinical indicators suggest that a peak in the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 has recently been reached.

Recent sequencing data showed a preponderance of the EG.5.1 variant (38.7%) [2].

For the week of 16 to 22 October 2023 (week 42), the number of influenza cases reported by laboratories rose to 5, compared with 1 case the previous week.

This data largely overlaps with LNS sentinel surveillance, which indicates increased circulation of rhinoviruses and SARS-CoV-2, but little circulation of influenza viruses.[2]

For week 42 (16 to 22 October 2023), the number of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-positive individuals detected by the CHL laboratory rose to 9 cases, compared with 7 the previous week, an increase of 29%.

Although circulation of the RSV virus has just begun, it is still at a low level.

Press release by the Ministry of Health

[1] https://www.list.lu/en/covid-19/coronastep/

[2] https://lns.lu/publications/

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New COVID-19 cases: week 42 review - 16 to 22 October 2023 ... - Gouvernement.lu

Del Sol Medical Center's Chief of Medicine Doctor Fahad Omar. October 26, 2023. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4)

As part of October's Healthy Lung Month, an El Paso doctor wants to remind the borderland how to stay healthy as the seasons change.

Del Sol Medical Center's Chief of Medicine Doctor Fahad Omar spoke with KFOX14/CBS4 on how to keep lungs healthy and how to look out for warning signs, such as runny nose or fatigue.

"I think one of the most important things in the upcoming months, needs to be that patients need to be vaccinated," Doctor Omar said.

Doctor Omar said people tend to feel sick a day or two after their flu vaccine, but stressed that that is a good thing.

"[Symptoms mean] the body is mounting an immune response," Doctor Omar said. Adding, "In case you get infected with the virus, your symptoms will be much lesser than a person that contracted the flu without a vaccine."

Doctor Omar said that it is a good idea to make sure you are up to date with COVID vaccines to be better protected in both the fall and winter seasons.

And if you or people close to you get sick, Doctor Omar suggests wearing a mask and practicing good hygiene such as washing your hands.

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El Paso doctor emphasizes the importance of flu shots this fall - KFOX El Paso

An alarming increase in the cases of respiratory infections including influenza and others is being reported in Karachi with the transition of the weather.

Health experts said the cases of the illness causing flu-like symptoms among people, especially among elderly citizens are increasing. Doctors have been seeing a surge in respiratory tract infections since the start of this month. Most patients presenting with high fever, cough, body pains, runny nose, headaches and sore throat are managed well with symptomatic treatment.

Apart from influenza cases of chickenpox and measles are also being reported at the private and government medical facilities of the city.

Health experts have advised citizens to use facemasks and wash their hands to avoid contraction of the influenza virus as it is easily transmissible from an infected person to others. Infected people have been recommended to stay home for at least 24 hours; limit contact with others; infected persons should avoid travelling.

The Sindh health department has also suggested vaccination against influenza, describing it as the most important step for protection.

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Influenza virus cases on the rise in Karachi - The Nation

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Kenvue tempers annual profit view on soft demand for cold, flu medicines

Kenvue on Thursday warned that a longer summer season in the northern hemisphere would hurt sales of its cold and flu medicines this year as the Benadryl maker cut the higher end of its annual profit forecast range. Shares of the company were down 3% in premarket trading.

GSK's common respiratory virus vaccine shows potential in adults aged 50-59

GSK said its vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) showed positive preliminary results in a late-stage trial to protect adults aged 50 to 59 from the disease that causes thousands of hospitalisations and deaths annually. The British drugmaker's shot, called Arexvy, met the primary goal in the Phase-III trial of eliciting an immune response in adults of the reported age group who are at an increased risk of catching the virus due to certain underlying medical conditions, the company said on Wednesday.

Bristol Myers says it needs another year to hit target for new drugs

Drugmaker Bristol Myers Squibb on Thursday pushed back by a year the time frame for its current new-product portfolio to hit $10 billion in sales as the ramp-up of new drugs including anemia treatment Reblozyl, psoriasis drug Sotyktu, and multiple sclerosis drug Zeposia takes longer than expected. Shares of the drugmaker fell more than 5% to $53.5 before the bell. They are down over 20% this year, while the S&P 500 index is up nearly 10%.

Labcorp beats quarterly profit estimates on strength in routine testing segment

Laboratory Corporation of America topped Wall Street expectations for quarterly adjusted profit on Thursday, as strength in its routine diagnostics business more than offset weak COVID test sales. U.S. lab testing companies including Labcorp rival Quest Diagnostics have seen a rebound in routine test volumes with people returning for regular health checkups that had been deferred during the pandemic.

Injected version of Eisai/Biogen Alzheimer's drug works as well as IV Leqembi

An injected version of Eisai and Biogen's Alzheimer's drug Leqembi works as well as the current intravenous version at removing toxic brain plaques, according to an analysis presented by Eisai on Wednesday. A weekly shot form of Leqembi, given as two consecutive injections, could simplify use of the groundbreaking Alzheimer's treatment, potentially allowing patients to receive the drug at home instead of traveling to an infusion center twice a month.

Pfizer, BioNtech say flu-COVID shot generates strong immune response in trial

Pfizer and German partner BioNTech said on Thursday that their vaccine to prevent flu and COVID-19 generated a strong immune response against strains of the viruses in an early- to mid-stage trial. The companies said they plan to start a late-stage trial in the coming months.

Merck quarterly profit tops expectations on COVID pill surprise

Merck & Co on Thursday reported higher-than-expected results in the third quarter on surprisingly strong demand for its COVID-19 treatment, primarily in Japan, and raised its annual sales forecast for the therapy. Sales of molnupiravir, the COVID-19 antiviral pill sold under brand name Lagevrio, jumped 47% to $640 million in the quarter, crushing Wall Street estimates of $120 million, according to LSEG data.

Medical equipment maker West Pharmaceutical raises 2023 profit forecast

Medical equipment maker West Pharmaceutical Services on Thursday raised its 2023 adjusted profit forecast for a third time, benefiting from a stronger dollar. The company, which makes products used to deliver and package injectable therapies, also beat third-quarter estimates for profit.

Boston Scientific raises profit forecast on strength in heart devices unit

Medical equipment maker Boston Scientific raised its annual profit forecast and beat estimates for third-quarter profit on Thursday as a post-pandemic rebound in elective surgeries boosts demand for its heart devices. A steady recovery in surgical procedures that were deferred during the pandemic, especially by older adults, as well as easing staffing shortages at hospitals have increased demand for medical devices.

US CDC recommends routine use of Bavarian Nordic mpox vaccine for adults at risk

Danish pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic said on Wednesday a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel has voted in favor of recommending the routine use of Jynneos vaccine for adults at risk of mpox. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend that individuals 18 years and older with certain risk factors should receive two doses of Jynneos.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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Health News Roundup: Kenvue tempers annual profit view on soft ... - Devdiscourse

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Hundreds of thousands of Albertans rolled up their sleeves in the first week of Albertas new immunization campaign.

According to data released Thursday, 312,072 doses of flu shots were administered in the week of Oct. 15, representing 7.8 per cent of all Albertans. Of all children aged six months to four years, 4.6 per cent got their flu shot.

And 215,224 doses of the XBB-targeting COVID-19 immunizations were put into arms of 5.2 per cent of Albertans.

The province made both shots widely available to the public on Oct. 16.

Initially, Alberta Health limited the number of doses pharmacies was able to order to 100 COVID-19 doses to ensure an equitable distribution across the province and to limit waste. The province raised that limit to 350 on Oct. 23.

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1:43 Edmonton pharmacies busy after first week of flu and COVID vaccines

Since the start of the respiratory virus season at the end of August, pharmacies have given out more than 90 per cent of COVID doses and more than 80 per cent of flu doses.

Calgary and Edmonton zones have seen the highest uptake in both types of immunization, with the South zone close behind.

In addition to preventing severe disease and death, scientists believe the new XBB-formulated COVID vaccine can better help prevent people from catching the airborne virus.

Aerosol scientists say properly-used high-quality masks like N95, KN95 or KF94 masks are highly effective at preventing infection.

0:25 Patients with severe mental illnesses more likely to die from COVID-19, new research shows

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In the week ending Oct. 21, 222 more Albertans were hospitalized for COVID and 11 were admitted to ICUs.

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All age ranges were represented in the new hospitalizations, and Albertans aged 40 and older were added to ICU.

The province added nine more COVID deaths that week, bringing the pandemic total to 5,956. One of those new deaths was of an Albertan in their 40s.

The positivity rate on PCR tests remained high at 17.8 per cent, the same as the previous week.

Influenza numbers also saw increases.

There were 57 more lab-confirmed cases, 14 more hospitalizations and two more ICU admissions.

2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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Hundreds of thousands of Albertans roll up their sleeves at start of ... - Global News

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --

With the change of seasons comes a renewed focus on the flu and ways we can protect ourselves against infection.

There are many circumstances you and your family can be exposed to the flu virus. School, daycare, travel, work, and public places like stores, restaurants, airports, and fitness centers are germ-charged environments that facilitate the spread of the flu.

Learn how to reduce your risk of getting the flu.

What is the flu?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.

How does the flu spread?

The influenza virus spreads from direct or indirect contact with someone else whos infected. Common ways to get the flu include:

When is flu season?

Flu season when cases of the flu go up dramatically in the U.S. is October through May. The highest number of cases usually happen between December and February.

What are symptoms of the flu?

You may not have all of these symptoms.

What can I expect if I have the flu?

Most people are able to manage flu symptoms at home and recover within a few days to a week. Because it can cause severe illness, its important to keep an eye on your symptoms and get medical attention if you need it. This is especially important if you have an underlying health condition. If you are sick with the flu, you should avoid being around others, except to seek medical care.

When should I go to the Emergency Room or seek immediate medical attention?

Go to the ER or seek immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of severe illness, including:

When can I go back to work/school?

To avoid spreading the flu to others, you shouldnt go back to work or school until its been at least 24 hours since youve had a fever (without taking fever-reducing medications). Your employer or school may have different requirements for returning.

How do I know if I have the flu or COVID-19?

Since they have similar symptoms, the only way to know for sure if you have the flu or COVID-19 is to get tested. They both have a risk of serious illness. But different viruses cause these infections, and providers treat them with different medications.

How can I prevent the flu?

The best way to prevent the flu is to get an annual flu vaccine, said Lt. Col. Michael Renkas, AFMC Command Public Health Officer. Should you catch the flu, an annual flu vaccine can prime your immune system to help reduce the amount of time you are ill and possibly lessen the severity of your illness. Therefore, an annual flu vaccine can limit the amount of time you are infectious and the potential to infect others. Using several data sources and studies, to include DoD surveillance data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends which influenza viruses are included in annual flu vaccines. Most flu vaccines are quadrivalent, meaning they are designed to increase your protection from four distinct flu viruses.

He advises to speak with your medical provider if you have questions, are pregnant or have other underlying health conditions, and get the flu vaccine before the holidays to strengthen immunity in time to celebrate with your coworkers and family. Getting a flu vaccination in September or October allows for adequate time to develop enough antibodies, which can take up to two weeks, to provide protection throughout the flu season.

Where can I get a flu vaccine?

Influenza vaccinations for all military members are a mandatory requirement, and available through each installations Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) or at any participating TRICARE eligible pharmacies. To ensure records are updated accordingly, military members must provide their servicing MTF documentation of any vaccination not administered and recorded by a MTF.

TRICARE beneficiaries are also eligible for flu shots through immunization clinics on base, or at no cost at TRICARE eligible pharmacies. For the civilian workforce, all Federal Employee Health Benefit plans cover flu shots at no cost for members and are available at local retail pharmacies.

You can find a flu vaccine location through vaccines.gov.

Go to:https://www.vaccines.gov/

-Select "Find Flu Vaccines" at the top of the page

-Enter your 5-digit zip code

-Check your "Vaccine Options

-Select "Search for Flu Vaccines" to find a preferred location

(Click on the location for further details and contact information)

In addition to getting the flu vaccine, there are many everyday preventive measures which can reduce your risk of getting the flu. These actions include:

Extensive seasonal flu resources are made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Avoiding the flu this season - afmc.af.mil