Arizona's flu and RSV activity is peaking earlier than usual, according to the state Department of Health Services.
The latest report shows there were 851 cases of lab-confirmed influenza for the week that ended Feb. 12, just slightly less than the previous week.
Activity of the virus usually picks up in the early part of each year, but this is earlier than usual, said Shoana Anderson, office chief for the state's office of infectious disease services.
"We're definitely on the upswing for flu activity. It is a little unusual. It's hard to say why that happens," she said.
There may be many more people experiencing the flu, since most people don't get tested for it.
Influenza is a respiratory virus that thrives in colder weather, though it can be seen year round.
About 50 percent of the confirmed cases this year have been in children younger than 18, Anderson said. There have been three pediatric deaths connected to influenza in the state this year, including two in Maricopa County.
As of Friday, Mesa's Cardon Children's Medical Center reported that 63 of its 110 inpatients have tested positive for the flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) or pneumonia, all respiratory illnesses. Compared to the prior week, the hospital saw double the number of positive influenza cases.
Anderson said the state could continue to see high numbers of the illnesses for the next few weeks. The number of influenza cases is about normal for the state. Last year, figures overall were much higher because of the pandemic.
Accuracy posted at 6:00 pm on Fri, Feb 18, 2011.
"There may be many more people experiencing the flu..."
Seasonal influenza (also called “the flu”) is a serious disease that can hospitalize many, even those who were previously healthy. Arizona is at the peak of flu season, and other viruses, like RSV and bronchitis.
The Influenza vaccine, also known as a flu shot, (taking by a jab in the arm or nasal delivery) is said to be a protection against the highly variable influenza virus. But, it is interesting that the main stream public health officials never promote the various proven ways to avoid the flu other than through vaccines.
Medical journals have published thousands of articles revealing that injecting vaccines can actually lead to serious health problems including harmful immunological responses and a host of other infections. This further increases the body’s susceptibility to the diseases that the vaccine was supposed to protect against. Flu shots are only able to protect against certain strains of the virus, which means that if you come into contact with a different strain of virus you will still get the flu.
The ingredients in the flu shots are toxic and dangerous. Many medical experts now agree it is more important to protect yourself and your family from the flu vaccine than the flu itself. And many Americans have doubts about flu vaccinations, flu shots, and flu snorts.
soricobob posted at 9:03 am on Sat, Feb 19, 2011.
See, Arizona attracts more than new businesses.
whonew posted at 1:06 am on Tue, Feb 22, 2011.
I think alot of this is due to people not teaching their children personal hygiene. Its both amazing and disgusting how often in a store, church, anywhere one might be, that children as well as their parents, are sneezing coughing and spewing germs without thinking twice about covering their mouths. Its nasty and unsanitary and no wonder the numbers have risen.