Saturday, January 26, 2013
The brunt of the flu virus may have passed, but other strains of the virus are keeping the number of flu-like illnesses high in Maryland.
The flu strain that has been making many sick in Maryland and around the country may be peaking, but that doesn't mean it's time to cease precautions and skip the flu shot. Other strains could circulate, keeping the flu around for months. Overall, the intensity of flu-like illnesses in Maryland remains high, according to the latest Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene report for the week ending Jan. 19. The influenza virus was geographically widespread according to the last report, meaning there is flu activity throughout different regions, said David Blythe, a medical epidemiologist with the state. While the virus is difficult to predict, he said there is a possibility the flu has peaked and is headed toward a decline. Even …
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 …
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Has your family gotten this flu that's going around? Because my family just had it and it is terrrrrible.
I've been reading Facebook status after Facebook status describing whole families falling victim to the flu. It seems that a particularly virulent, contagious version of the plague is traveling rapidly around the region. Each time I saw one of those statuses, I mentally sent sad thoughts the way of the afflicted families and thanked my lucky stars that I wasn't one of them. I should have known that our luck wouldn't hold. I'm glad that we managed to get through the holidays and New Year's without anyone being sick, but I wish that my youngest son hadn't fallen ill on the very first day back to school after break. I sent everyone off that morning and happily settled in to taking care of my post-holidays to-do list when I got an email from …
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 …
Sunday, September 25, 2011
A week's worth of stories on Wheaton Patch.
The news happens fast. In case you missed anything, here's what we covered last week on Wheaton Patch: Health officials urge flu vaccinations. Police release the weekly crime summary. Wachovia at Westfield Wheaton officially becomes Wells Fargo. Same Sex marriage discussions pop up again in legislature. Our "Viewfinder" captured some tasty fall photos. Police make arrests in business robberies and serial bank robbery cases. Edison High student wins medal at national competition. Every dog had its day at the Wheaton-Glenmont pool. "Frugal Families" find frighteningly good Halloween deals.
Jean Winegardner
7:13 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
I am SO sorry to hear this. I hope you feel better soon! more ›